- country:South Africa
- style(s):Funk, South African
- label:not signed
- type:Band
- gender:male, female
- instrumentation:vocal, percussion, piano, guitar
- artist contact:Riot Artists
Line up
- John Amoako (Keyboard, Backing Vocals)
- Klaus Brennsteiner (Drums)
- Lucas Pamminger (Bass)
- Mark Williams (Guitar, Backing Vocals)
- Nomfusi Ngonyama (Lead Vocals)
Links
The soul of Mama Afrika meets the fire of Motown and Soul… in a pint-sized packet of dynamite. With over twenty international tours under her belt, Nomfusi has become one of South Africa’s most sought-after performers. Indeed, there is nothing small about the tiny songstress with the gigantic voice and tons of charm. With sheer will and determination, she has risen from the squalor of South African squatter camps to some of the major stages of the world. Likened by critics to a young Miriam Makeba with a twist of Tina Turner, the multiple SAMA and Metro FM Award nominee embraces both her African heritage and the sounds of Soul and Motown she grew up with. Like a purifying wild fire that cuts through the bone, her cathartic performances have been praised across the globe.
Nomfusi has given riveting performances across Europe and Canada at prestigious festivals such as WOMAD in England, performing with Angelique Kidjo at the Afrikadey Festival in Canada, and to an audience of more than 8000 at FMM Sines in Portugal, and Lugano Jazz Festival. She also opened for superstar Lionel Richie at Stimmen Festival in Loerrach, Germany. Nomfusi was chosen to portray the character of Miriam Makeba in “Long Walk To Freedom,” the film about the life of Nelson Mandela, Released in early 2014, it is, according to the Hollywood Reporter “the largest South African production ever mounted”.
Based in Johannesburg, Nomfusi is now counted among the top ten rising stars on ETV Showbiz Report in South Africa. She has been featured in more than fifty publications, including Drum (who gave her 5 stars for her debut album), Rolling Stones Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Glamour and Destiny, and she has appeared on the cover of High Flyers, Mango Juice and The Sowetan newspaper. Nomfusi’s life story has been captured widely in the media. Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records, who discovered Bob Marley, Angelique Kidjo and U2, said of Nomfusi after viewing a touching documentary of her life and music: “What a terrific young artist, her genuine concern for her community and beyond comes through SO strongly.”