TRIBUTE TO WENDY & ANDILE MSELEKU

On November 28, Rainbow restaurant in Pinetown will host Just Friends with special guest Noluthando Nkomo in a Tribute to Wendy and Andile Mseleku, presented in association with Castle Lager and the Wendy Mseleku Trust.

Just Friends is a five piece afro-jazz outfit featuring Bernard Mndaweni on bass guitar, Lindelani Mathonsi on keyboard, Khaya Dlamini on saxophone, Eric Duma on trumpet and Pantsula Zibane on drums. They made their debut performance as a group at the Rainbow in October and totally rocked the house so when Duma approached us with a proposal to stage a Tribute to the two sibling song-birds, Wendy and Andile Mseleku, we had no hesitation in saying yes.

Wendy's star rose very rapidly in the 1990's, with her second album The Powerhouse being nominated for a South African Music Award in the Best Female Artist Category in 1999. Sadly, a few months after the birth of her second daughter, Nqobile, and the release of her third album Umngenandlini in 2000, Wendy passed away. This tragic loss did not silence the Mseleku family as sister Andile picked up the baton and rapidly made a name for herself in the South African music scene. Besides a busy touring schedule, Andile also managed to record the album The Essence of Joy produced by Themba Mkhize and her father Langa Mseleku. Her life however, was also cut short when she passed away due to complications brought on by sugar diabetes in April 2010.

The Wendy Mseleku Trust was established by her father and other concerned friends to provide for the financial and welfare needs of Wendy's two daughters, Lungile and Nqobile. With the passing of Andile, they also took on the responsibility of her daughter Thando. They hope that one day the Trust will be able to extend this support and assistance to other orphaned children of performing artists. As such, a percentage of the profits from this event will go to the Trust.

Joining Just Friends on vocals, to present the hits from the Mseleku sisters, will be singer Noluthando Nkomo, who is well known to Rainbow audiences as vocalist and trombonist in the Umkhumbane Jazz Ensemble.

The performance takes place on November 28. Doors open at 12h00. Tickets R30 presale/R40 at the door. The Rainbow Restaurant Estd 1981 is situated at 23 Stanfield Lane, Pinetown. More information on 031 702 9161 or 083 463 8044 or email: bandwagon@artslink.co.za or visit www.therainbow.co.za