Indications are that this year’s Ghana Music Awards will by all standards be one of the biggest ever witnessed. Not only does the event coincide with the nation’s 50th Anniversary but also positioned to attract the participation of some of Africa’s highly acclaimed music artistes.

Arriving all the way from South Africa together with others from Nigeria and La Cote D’Ivoire is one of the world’s most celebrated African musicians – Hugh Masekela.

With an extensive jazz background and credentials, Hugh Masekela has enjoyed major success as one of the earliest leaders in the world fusion mode. Noted for his vibrant trumpet and flugelhorn solos, Masekela has over the years created an indelible mark in pop, R&B, disco, Afropop and jazz music.

As part of his success story, Hugh Masekela had had American and international hits, worked with bands around the world, and played with African, African-American, European and various American musicians in his career. His style, especially on flugelhorn, is a charismatic blend of striking upper register lines, half valve effects, repetitive figures and phrases, with some note bending, slurs and tonal colors.

He began singing and playing piano as a child, influenced by seeing the film Young Man With a Horn at 13 and started playing trumpet at 14. During the early '60s, his career began to explode. He recorded for MGM, Mercury and Verve, developing his hybrid African/pop/jazz style.

Later, Masekela moved to California and started his own record label, Chisa. He cut several albums expanding this formula and began to score pop success. The song "Grazing In The Grass" topped the charts in 1968 and eventually sold four million copies worldwide. That year Masekela sold out arenas nationwide during his tour, among them Carnegie Hall.

On Saturday May 5th 2007 when Ghana celebrates the jubilee edition of the Ghana music Awards Festival, Hugh Masekela together with P Square from Nigeria, Jeff Bogologobo, King Ayisoba, Kwaku Gyasi, Christina Love, Obrafour, Praye, ofori Amponsah Obour and AB Crentsil and Irene and Jane will together add more than sheer performances to the event.

The Ghana Music Awards Calendar indicates Thursday may 3rd as the Ghana Music Awards Industry and Highlife Night, Saturday 5th May, The Ghana Music Awards Public Awards Night and Sunday May 6th, the Ghana Music Awards Celebration Beach Jam.