Jazz trumpeter Hugh Masekela emigrated from his native South Africa in 1960, settling in New York City following time spent at London's Guildhall School of Music.
Soon after Masekela's first solo LP release, he married singer Miriam Makeba in 1964.
The two had worked together often since the late '50's in South Africa.
By 1968, he'd relocated to Los Angeles, following his divorce from Makeba.
That same year he recorded his highest-charting hit, 'Grazing In The Grass'.
The Johannesburg Street Band was a project formed by Masekela along with members of The Jazz Crusaders; trombonist Wayne Henderson and tenor saxophonist Wilton Felder.
Both tracks off of this 45 would appear on their LP, 'Dancin' Through The Streets', released on MCA's Uni subsidiary label.
In 1970, The Crusaders (having dropped 'Jazz' from their name at Masekela's suggestion) signed with Masekela's newly-formed Chisa record label.
Listen to:
The Johannesburg Street Band - Thimlela
(Uni Records 45, 1968)
(click for audio)
Listen to:
The Johannesburg Street Band - Pata Pata
(Uni Records 45, 1968)
(click for audio)
(FYI: Miriam Makeba's hit vocal version of her song 'Pata Pata' was released in 1967)
See also:
- A Hugh Masekela Biography / Discography page at Doug Payne's Sound Insights
Jazz trumpeter Hugh Masekela emigrated from his native South Africa in 1960, settling in New York City following time spent at London's Guildhall School of Music.
Both tracks off of this 45 would appear on their LP, 'Dancin' Through The Streets', released on MCA's Uni subsidiary label. 
