Ladysmith Black Mambazo to feature on second CD from UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador to SA.
Professor Jimmie Earl Perry was recently appointed as the UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador to SA. His vision is to produce more shows and recordings to spread the message that education is the key to reducing HIV infection rates, as well as helping people living with HIV/Aids to manage their health.
Professor Perry will shortly release his second CD featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo and is currently in New York to check-out the music scene in preparation for the next SA Artists for HIV Aids Awareness concert that will take place during the World Cup on July 5, 2010.
Aside from being an artist and stage performer, Professor Perry is the Director of the Educational Theatre and Arts Programme at the Africa Centre for HIV/Aids Management, which has organised and hosted the annual World Aids Day Gala Concert in Cape Town over the past five years.
Professor Perry was born in Alabama, and spent his childhood in Trenton, New Jersey, in the United States. He received classical, theatrical and gospel training at home, church and at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. As a stage performer, he has travelled the world while starring in countless international productions, such as Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, Miss Saigon and Starlight Express.
He first came to South Africa in 2004 and shortly afterwards decided to make Cape Town his home. Today he uses his talent and experience to advance the fight against HIV and Aids through the creative arts. He creates productions to educate people of all races, creeds and cultures in the prevention of HIV infection through testing and knowing one’s HIV status, as well as managing one’s health.
In 2006 he released his first South African produced CD called, Power of the dream- see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce17d8XJbLw