Artists Appearing in 2011
Artists who will be appearing this year (so
far... check this page often!).
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| Colé van Dais |
John & Ryan |
Denny Lalouette |
Véronique Lalouette |
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| Xavier Saer |
Wendy Niehaus |
Calabash |
Gustav - Kornerstone |
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| Stix Hojeng |
Caroline du Preez |
Bookendz |
Marcel Caroto |
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| Dominique Sundelowitz |
T. Nkambule (Ukwandza) |
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Colé van Dais
International singer, TV presenter, actress and songwriter,
Colé van Dais is an innovative and aspiring independent artist,
who performs a wide variety music, from her original Afrikaans and
English songs, to chart covers. She tailor makes her shows by
choosing her repertoire to adapt to many themes and to suit
audiences of any age, genre, or culture. She not only has a
beautiful voice and versatile vocal style, but to Colé, music is
all about feeling. With many years of experience in showbiz, Colé
is a well-known for her performances worldwide. Visit Colé's page
at www.reverbnation.com/colevandais.
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John and Ryan
Ever more popular, and more and more in demand since their
professional debut as a duo a year and a bit ago, John Fresk and
Ryan Bysshe are definitely two of the most loved performers at the
Arts Festival. John's edgy piano, and Ryan's smooth, beautiful
voice are not to be missed... Classically trained but with
popular, jazz, and rock experience and sensibilities, piano
virtuoso, composer and producer John Fresk's colourful career
spans 25 years of professional international performance and
recording. Ryan's grounding in both classical and world music
combined with his unique vocal warmth, clarity and impressive
range make him a versatile and respected performer. Put them
together, and you have a "class act!" Their website is www.johnandryan.co.za.
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Denny Lalouette
Denny Lalouette is possibly one of the greatest, and one of the
most prolific, bass players in the history of South African music,
whose precise, but warm sound demands listening. Having played
with influential bands like Razor and Theta, Denny came into his
own as a session musician, and was one of the most in-demand
bassists during the 80's and 90's. He won the SABC Session
Musician of the Year award in 1987. Able to play almost any piece
of music, he is both fun and exciting to hear. But the real
pleasure in Denny's playing lies in his mastery of jazz, in his
precision, timing and passion for the sound. He has performed in
at the North Sea Jazz Festivals in Amsterdam and Cape Town, as
well as concerts in Swaziland, Botswana, Switzerland, Poland,
Prague, Warsaw, Berlin, Gdynia, Moscow, Budapest, Hong Kong,
Singapore as well as every major city in South Africa. He has
played with Shirley Bassey, Joe Henderson (legendary saxophonist),
Paul Hamner, Claire Johnstone of Mango Groove (on her latest
album), Andy Narell (world-renowned steel drummer), Trevor Rabin,
Izio Gross (Brazilian pianist), Wessel van Rensberg, Avzal Ismail,
amongst many others.
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Véronique Lalouette
Since her debut as a singer in the entertainment industry performing
jazz standards at the tender age of 14, Veronique has been very busy as
a performing and recording artist. Her experience ranges from recording
backing vocals to lead vocals (as the MTN “Hello the Future” voice
and Wimpy’s “Do the Wimpy Sizzle”), from jazz, Latin and dance
bands to performing in front of full orchestras. She has performed
internationally from the Seychelles to Taiwan, including touring with
Project Fame to West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Botswana -
coaching others and performing), as well as at venues throughout South
Africa. She made the top three in SA Idols 2005; although she didn't
win, the judges had to agree that she had the purest and most well
trained voice. Her CD “As I am” was launched one year after Idols
and her career is on the rise. A firm favourite at the Arts Festival, we
are delighted to welcome her back in 2011!
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Xavier Saer
Born in the mystical land of Peru, his passion for composing and
performing started quite early. Following his family’s
expectations he completed his studies in Economics, but soon
decided to study something that had always been a part of him -
Flamenco. This he did on the Spanish Island of Tenerife. He
subsequently danced all over the world, to great acclaim. While
travelling in Peru, he recorded his first album, which became a
sell-out success. He’s recognized as one of the most talented
young songwriters to have appeared in recent years. His amazing
passion for music and lyrics and his deep melodic sensibility make
his songs unforgettable. Visit www.xaviersaer.com.
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Wendy Niehaus
Wendy Niehaus has been entertaining audiences for over 20 years
and has played in most of the top venues the length and breadth of
the country. She has fronted bands such as "Sounds Like
Thunder" and "Gasoline" and has performed in
theatre productions including "Thank You For The Music",
"Let It Be" and a Cliff Richard Tribute. Some of the
many venues she has performed in are the Hilton Hotel, Monte
Casino and Sun City and she has an impressive array of corporate
clients like Nedbank, Stanlib and GIBBS business college. Whether
it's a stylish cocktail evening, a dinner party or your end of
year conference, this is a performer of a different class.
Back to top Calabash
Dziripi Munyaradzi aka Calabash grew up in a rural village in
Masvingo, in a non-musical family. With an increased interest in ethno
musicology, Munyaradzi decided to incorporate his passion for music and
his educational studies into a career, enrolled for formal music studies
at the Zimbabwe College of Music and Ethno Musicology in 2001. He then
won a music scholarship from Mmino Nowergian Music Education to study
music business from 2009-2011. Munyaradzi founded Calabash Creations, an
organization committed to the increased visibility of African indigenous
musical instruments. Calabash Creations has been transformed into an
international entity, enabling the world to be captivated by the origin
and styles of African traditional music styles, and is teaching in many
schools in South Africa, Zimbabwe and the USA. He will be performing at
the Arts Festival, and those interested in drumming will be able to
attend a workshop conducted by this talented performer. For more
information, visit http://www.reverbnation.com/munyaradzi.
Back to top Kornerstone
Gustav has appeared at Creative Arts on several occasions, singing his
haunting, original songs to great acclaim. He will be appearing at the
Arts Festival with his band, Kornerstone. Kornerstone have played venues
like Cafe Barcelona and The Blues Room, and have released a music video
on MK89 (DSTV). Kornerstone have been together since Gustav advertised
in the newspaper for musicians to work with. They play original material
only.
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Stix Hojeng
Stix Hojeng was born to music in the small mining town of Kimberley. His
mother was a vocalist; his father played the trumpet and his brother
played drums. Stix's first love affair was with the guitar, when he was
just twelve years old. But the piano won his heart and he has played
with some of South Africa's greatest talents, including Miriam Makeba,
Jimmy Dludlu, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Tsepo Tshola, Dr Victor and the late
Brenda Fassie. He also played with the band CC Beat. And with Dludlu,
Frank Paco and John Nassan, he was a founder member of the band Loading
Zone. Later he joined another group, Africa OÝe, and with this band
produced an album called Moment of Truth. Hojeng is an excellent
performer and a dynamic piano player in most music genres and his
musical style includes elements of traditional, Latin and and jazz
influence with an underlying crossover appeal to listeners. Visit Stix's
website at www.stixhojeng.co.za.
Back to Top Caroline
du Preez
Caroline du Preez was born in Cape Town and is one half of a pair of
twins - both girls. She comes from a musical family - her father, a
captain of a ship, is also musically inclined and her brothers (all four
of them) are professional musicians. Her twin sister, though, is not
musically inclined. Caroline grew up in Walvis Bay, where she started
singing at the age of three. The family moved to East London when
Caroline was nine years old. She entered several talent competitions -
most of which she won! By the time she was 11 years old, Caroline had
already recorded her first LP with famed South African musical director,
Dan Hill, and she went on to record several hit records and win many
awards. Caroline has appeared in cabaret throughout South Africa,
Swaziland, Botswana, Maseru, Namibia and Zimbabwe. She has performed at
most Southern Sun resorts and literally hundreds of holiday resorts
throughout the country. Caroline has shared the stage with nearly every
local act going and is the only artist in South Africa that has managed,
to date, to make a living solely from her singing. For more information
about Caroline, visit her website at www.carolinedupreez.co.za.
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Bookendz
This year the Arts Festival is extremely excited to be welcoming back to
our shores (albeit for just a brief appearance) the inimitable John Skuy,
who left the Joburg city lights and moved down to Durban some years
back. John served on the Arts Festival Committee for many years and we
definitely missed his “big think”, crazy sense of humour and
ear-to-ear grin after he had gone! This year he returns as part of the
duo “Bookendz”, the other half of which is complimented by John’s
partner and accomplished musician, Nicole Couto-Leite. We consider
ourselves extremely privileged to have this exciting duo perform for us
at this year’s festival!
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Marcel Caroto
This year sees the return of Marcel who first appeared on our stage at
last year’s Arts Festival, wowing the audience with his unique “soulfire”
voice. Introduced to the Festival by Ludwig Bouwer of One Big Room
Studios (who also happens to be our Technical Guru), this dynamic
singer-songwriter-actor has a distinctly soulful voice, artistically
blending the youthful, funky tunes of pop, R&B and dance music with
a tinge of the enchanting contemporary. At sixteen, he was composing his
piano driven songs and by seventeen, he recorded his first single
"Baby, Do Me Right." He has performed at events and venues
such as FIFA Fan Fest, Tom Kroboth – Schwarzkopf Essential Looks Hair
Show and Lusito Land, among many others.
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Dominique Sundelowitz
Dominique has been performing for the Arts Festival for the past ten
years, debuting at the age of 8 years old in the leading role in a play
directed by Wendy Bowman in 2000. Since then, Dominique has consistently
performed at every Arts Festival, initially delighting audiences with
her strong acting skills and, in the last two years, has taken to the
stage as an up-and-coming talented vocalist. She has also hosted a
number of workshops for the Arts Festival over the last decade and is
always willing to “pitch in” wherever she is needed. Dominique was a
Principal Performer for the Helen O’ Grady Drama Academy for five
years, and last year she both acted and sang at the Saint Hill Arts
Festival. She is currently a member of two bands, and is studying Vocals
NQF5 and Keyboard NQF4 at COPA (Campus of Performing Arts).
Back to Top Thembinkosi Nkambule and
Ukwandza Choir
Thembinkosi Nkambule is the choir master of Ukwandza Choir. A talented and accomplished vocalist and musician,
Thembinkosi has distinguished himself in academically in the theological
and musical areas. He has been a lead singer with the Conquerers and is
the lead vocalist and founder of the Clemmentia Meek Singers/ Aqua
Vitae band. Founder of
Fairhavens Revival Ministries, Thembinkosi is involved in many community
betterment projects and has personally adopted ten child headed families.
One of the many programmes he is involved in is a musical
programme that researches and develops talent. His plans are to get
programmes well structured in order to function adequately and cater for
needs, to acquire a property and other equipment where his community
projects could be operated from, and to encourage people to stand and
believe in themselves. We are proud to have Thembinkosi and the Ukwandza
Choir performing at the Arts Festival!
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...and more waiting in the wings for final confirmation,
including some great acts! Watch this space daily.
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