Get those creative gears turning! The 2025 PBS KIDS Writer Contest is just around the corner!
Nominate an exceptional West Virginia teacher today!
On Demand
On Demand
Watch locally produced documentaries & more.
On Demand
On Demand
West Virginia Morning
Inside Appalachia
West Virginia Week
Mountain Stage
Us & Them
The Legislature Today
Send us your comments and questions.
Stream our board meetings.
Check out the latest WVPB news.
Sign up for our newsletter and get weekly updates.
Meet the WVPB staff.
WV Educational Broadcasting Authority, the WVPB Foundation, and the Friends of WVPB.
Come work with us!
Sponsor impactful and engaging media and entertainment.
Use your IRA to make a gift to WVPB.
Become a member with your gift of $1,000 or more.
The passing of Hugh Masekela at the age of 78 reminds us here at Mountain Stage of his two powerful performances on the show in 1989 and 1994.
In September of 1989, Hugh Masekela made his first appearance on Mountain Stage, bringing with him the rhythm of traditional South African music intertwined with the sounds of classic jazz. Through rhythms that made it easy to sway to, Masekela expressed the distress of his country at the time, singing “Bring Him Home”, a cry for the release of Nelson Mandela.
Masekela left South Africa in 1960, following the political unrest of the Sharpeville Massacre. Making a home in New York, he fell in love with the jazz community. Encouraged by greats like Miles Davis, Masekela pioneered a blend of American Jazz with traditional sounds and instruments of his home country.
In 1994, he returned to West Virginia for Mountain Stage, two days before playing “Bring Him Home” at the South African presidential inauguration of Mandela. This would mark the end of his self-imposed exile from his homeland that had lasted over thirty years.
“The second appearance was on May 8, just two days before Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as President of South Africa. The spirit on that show left a deep impression on all of us.” – Larry Groce, host and artistic director, Mountain Stage.
“I am deeply saddened to read the news of Hugh Masekela's passing. We had the pleasure of having Hugh on our show a couple of times. The first time Nelson Mandela was still in prison. The second time was just before the inauguration of Mandela as President of South Africa. I was driving Hugh to our local airport, so he could begin his journey back "home" to take part in the inauguration festivities. As we were making our way to the airport I told him I never thought this day would come. He was looking out the window and, after a few seconds, he turned to me, with tears in his eyes, and said "…I wasn't sure it would happen either, Andy." My condolences to his family and friends. Here's to a great musician with an enduring legacy. May we keep his horn of freedom and justice blowing!” – Andy Ridenour, founder and past Executive Producer of Mountain Stage.
And from longtime Mountain Stage pianist, Bob Thompson:
“His appearance on Mountain Stage just before Mandela’s inauguration is one I’ll never forget. It was a true celebration! We celebrate your life and your gift to us Hugh Masekela. Rest In Peace.” – Bob Thompson
We can recommend this archival interview posted by PRI’s The World and NPR’s remembrance of Hugh Masekela.
