(Right: Nicky Shange - supplied)
African Kings presents Nicky Shange on February 18, 2023.
While featured by the group Shana at the Bat Centre, she was spotted by the late legend Mam Busi Mhlongo who was in attendance. Mhlongo was so impressed and asked the young student, who was studying music at Natal Technikon, if she was willing to work with her as a backing vocalist, an offer she definitely could not refuse.
In 2001, Shange moved to Johannesburg where she became part of Joyous Celebration. After leaving Joyous Celebration, she became a backing vocalist for Thandiswa Mazwai, Malaika and Jaziel Brothers, to mention but a few. Later, she was noticed by Jonas Gwangwa with whom she travelled extensively. Some of the countries she has performed in include Namibia, Benin, Mozambique, Swaziland, Algeria, Mauritius, Germany and the Unites States. She has also worked with Themba Mkhize and Sibongile Khumalo.
As part of embarking on a solo career, Shange moved back to Durban in 2015. She has had several live performances in and around Durban, to the delight of audiences. She has been writing songs since 1993. She refuses to be boxed into a specific genre because of her versatility. African rhythms, soulful sounds, and jazz are some of the music genres she infuses.
In 2016, she was the lead singer in a project called Forest Jam Orchestra. The project consisted of musicians from Switzerland, Mozambique and South Africa. The group performed live at Kaya FM and toured South Africa and neighbouring countries. Recently, she performed songs by her late mentor Mam Busi Mhlongo in a live broadcast on Ukhozi FM which honoured fallen South African music icons. One of her immediate goals include recording a live album, which her fans will get to know her as a solo artist. Performing live is one of the things that give her the greatest satisfaction as an artist.
Nicky Shange’s band includes Shemual Mahabeer (keys); Bernard Mndaweni (bass); Siya Duma (saxophone); Thabo Skhakhane (trumpet); Sbu Zondi (drums) and Sfiso Cele (backing vocals)
The concert takes place on February 18 at 16h00 at Alliance Française Durban.
Entry fee: R150. Tickets booked through Luthando Duma on 061 411 4402.
Alliance Française de Durban is situated at 22 Sutton Crescent off Lillian Ngoyi Road (formerly Windermere Road) in Morningside.
For more information contact 031 312 9582 or email: info.afdbn@alliance.org.za
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