(Nonhlanhla
Wanda & Sharon Katz)
On the 25th anniversary of the original
Peace Train tour, Nonhlanhla Wanda and Sharon Katz are releasing their first CD
as a duo.
Side-By-Side was recorded and produced by Malcolm Nhleko and features Nonhlanhla
and Sharon’s original compositions, Sharon on guitar; Qhubekani Mthethwa on
bass; Charles Boykie Mnomiya on drums and Sanele Phakathi on keyboards and
piano.
When Nonhlanhla Wanda and Sharon Katz
formed The Peace Train’s 500-voice multiracial youth choir in KwaZulu-Natal in
1993, their goal was to use music to promote the country’s first, fully-inclusive
elections and a peaceful transition to democracy. Traveling across South Africa
aboard The Peace Train, joined by their friends Ladysmith Black Mambazo, they
helped change hearts and minds to prepare communities to live together.
Nonhlanhla and Sharon originally trained
their choir by traveling to the then-separated communities and schools
throughout KZN. After the election, The Peace Train performed for many of
President Mandela’s special events and became the first multiracial group to
represent the new South Africa on a five-week concert tour in America in 1995.
Their first US-release, Imbizo, was
nominated for a Grammy for Best World Music. Double Take was recorded with Abigail Kubeka and Dolly Rathebe; Carnival! features The Peace Train along
with Sting, Elton John, Tina Turner and Madonna.
An award-winning film about their work
entitled When Voices Meet features
John Kani and Abigail Kubeka. After its World Premiere at the Durban
International Film Festival, When Voices
Meet was selected for over 25 festivals in America and has been shown in 49
countries in Africa, winning Best Documentary, Best Original Soundtrack,
Audience Awards and the President’s Award. The Johannesburg premiere of When Voices Meet was on November 19,
2016, at the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Center.
In a recent interview on SABC Morning Live, Nonhlanhla and Sharon said
they are delighted to share their story with South African audiences and they
also look forward to thrilling audiences with their new Afro Jazz CD and dynamic
live shows to celebrate their first duo album and their 25 years of friendship
and music. The well-travelled duo have performed in the premiere venues of the
USA and they are ready to bring it all home. Singer songwriter Dina Daniels
will open the show.
The launch of Side-By-Side will take place on
February 25 at 13h00 at the Soul Sunday Sessions, Northwood Crusaders Sports
Club in Durban North
For more information visit www.SharonKatz.com
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