“Journey of My Soul” will present Tu Nokwe Gift Hampers to lucky ticket holders.The concert promises an unforgettable experience as Tu Nokwe will be joined on stage by a seasoned live band as well as surprise guests.

Tu Nokwe, a movie actress, singer, guitarist, composer and lyricist, is the critically acclaimed musician and mentor of talents like, Deborah Fraser, Leleti Khumalo, Ayanda Nhlangothi, Khanyo Maphumulo through the Amajika Youth And Children’s Arts Project.

She has been a performer, actress and singer for over four decades performing to great acclaim locally and abroad.

Through Tu Nokwe’s “Journey of My Soul” the music series will get audiences into her soul and the souls of her Special Guests/Friends and people she performed with over the years through music and dance.

The first concerts will be hosted on 19 November 2010 at Bassline, in Newtown, Johannesburg, followed by a series of other shows that will run every month till June 2011.

The overall objective of the music series is to raise public recognition and celebration of our living musicians as cultural icons in a dignified way.

ABOUT TU NOKWE

Tu Nokwe is a member of one of South Africa’s most famous musical families, sometimes called the Jacksons of Africa. Five of the 6 family members have made music their life.

She was born into a family of musicians. Her father, Alfred, was in a jazz swing band and her mother, Patty, was a soprano singer. All the children in the Nokwe household were taught how to sing by their mother and she introduced them to the music of Miriam Makeba and Letta Mbulu.

Tu taught herself how to play the guitar by using two chairs, a string strung in between the chairs and a do-it-yourself book. When she finally managed to get a guitar, she wrote her first song Relax . Together with her sister, Marilyn, and a friend, Nonhlanhla, they formed the Black Angels and recorded an album. Tu also formed the group Amajika Youth Project, which teaches children music, dance, drama for self development. This was a successful project and some of the children in her group ended up featuring in the Broadway Musical Sarafina, which she originally conceptualised with Mbongeni Ngema.

Tu left South Africa for England and, during the filming of Shaka Zulu, returned to act as Shaka’s wife. After this stint in film, she left for New York where she studied music at the Manhattan School of Music. Before her departure for the United States, Tu had recorded her first solo album Mind your own business. During her stay in the States, she recorded her thoughts in three journals that she translated into songs that were released in the album Inyakanyaka. In this album Tu paid tribute to Princess Magogo, a great traditional songwriter. She has featured in many plays, has written her mother’s biography, ‘Singing The Times’ and has appeared in many television programmes.

Following the release of her 1996 hit album, “Inyakanyaka”, Tu has continued to strive as a singer, guitarist, composer and lyricist. Her passion and love for children and community work is the driving force behind her music. And it has resulted in her latest album release, entitled “African Child”. This album was a project which took 2-years in the making. It was finally completed with a 13 track selection, 80% of which is Tu’s own original material, intertwined with a few traditional African standards.

“Ilanga Emkhukhwini”, written by Tu’s uncle Joshua Mzimela, is a track about suffering, however, Tu renamed it “Ilanga”, which means the sun (in the squatter camp), which gives the track a new meaning evidently the opposite of the original meaning intended.

“Mama Wam”, track 11, is based on a the hit song by Doris Day “Quesera…”. Tu has taken this song and given it Zulu lyrics. It is a song known and loved by young and old alike.

“Letting Go” is a special tune for Tu in that it came to her after the death of Moses Molelekwa & his wife Flo, and how it caused such sadness, especially for their young child. Tu felt a connection and realised there was meaning in it for her; in that in order to move on in life, one has to let go. This track was one of the last added to the album.

“Ngane Yakwethu” and “African Child / Bambelela” are original works inspired by encouraging the birth of the African Renaissance.

Tu describes her music as a New Age African Sound, spiritual, and inward looking with elements of Afro-jazz and funk. She also finds herself very moved by the drum and acoustic sound. All the tracks on the album are named in Zulu and English so that a wider audience are able to connect with the tracks.

“African Child” is sending a message to the quintessential African child: Listen to the music and you will find direction; you cannot go forward without going inward, hence the image on the cover of the child in the lotus position. And indeed, the message is an age-old African one: Go within! She was nominated in the category of Best Female Artist in the SAMAs & the British Magazine ‘Liner Notes’ as the best release from Africa.

She has traveled extensively on international tours with her band. Many places like America, Europe and England have become her second homes. In all these counties, she has collaborated with musicians in song writing, performance and music workshops.

Looking back to the musical beginnings, Bheki Mseleku’s imprint subtly marks Tu’s musical life. He used to live with the Nokwes in Kwa-Mashu; theirs was one of the houses that had electricity and more importantly, they also had a piano.

Her travels took her to and from London for almost a year, appearing in between as Shaka’s wife, Phampata, in the movie Shaka Zulu. From there, it was off to New York, where she went for auditions at the Manhattan School of Music ‘just to check where I was with my craft’.

Asked what key she sang in, Tu wasn’t sure but asked them to listen to a blues arrangement with African lyrics. On the spot she was offered a scholarship that would pay half her tuition. This is the same school that boasts Jonas Gwangwa and Hugh Masekela as alumni.

Whilst music is the thread that holds Tu’s life together, performance is really what defines her. In her short life, Tu has featured in 6 plays, including “Sheila’s Day”"Singing The Times” and , the biography of her mother”s life that she wrote, starred in numerous TV programmes and appeared on 5 albums. She has embarked on a new passion, ‘isihlahla sobuntu’ a program to preserve indigenous instruments & traditional values. A Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist, Actress, Teacher, Visionary Thinker, Tu was nominated for three categories in the SA FNB Awards for: Best Video / Best Female Performance / Best Song of The Year.

CONCERT INFORMATION

Date and Venue
Venue: Bassline, Newtown
Date: 19 November 2010
Time: 20h00
Seating Capacity: 150
Limited tickets please purchase your ticket now at:
Bassline, 10 Henry Nxumalo Street, Newtown, Johannesburg.
You can also purchase tickets on: www.bassline.co.za
For Tu Nokwe’s 2011 shows visit: www.tunokwe.com
Contact Person: (Lesiba) 0719116298
pls sms ‘tu’ to 36955 for future jos concerts dates

PLEASE watch Tu Nokwe clips on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omAiiEnsp0w
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tunokwe&aq=f

This post was submitted by CATHY WOODLOCKE.

JOHANNESBURG – Following the success of last month’s inaugural event, Tu Nokwe’s “Journey of My Soul” concert series returns to the Bassline this Friday for another edition of an ever-evolving quest to provide a unique and relevant breakthrough experience combining music, conversation, and audience participation. The organisers, TUNO MUSIC say they are proud to present “Journey Of My Soul” Concert Part 2 of the legacy concert series this Friday the 10th of December 2010, 800pm at the Bassline in Newtown. The concert is an indoor production and will be recorded live for future DVDs to be developed as a TV pilot.

Journey of My Soul, the home grown musical concert is back for a second time following the phenomenal success of last month’s inaugural event held at the same venue. It’s a rare child-friendly environment for this Friday night and as a special Xmas bonus, all ticket holders will receive a free collector’s DVD of her inaugural JoS show last month. Series of events set to spread to different parts of the country are being arranged to commemorate the life of South Africa’s very own music legend, Tu Nokwe who turns 50 this year. She has entered her Golden Age!

“The new series of legacy concerts are held in the form of a live musicals and talk-show, and are set to proffer a platform to chat about things that are on our minds, and create breakthroughs in our lives by opening up and marveling at our own experiences and those of everyone around us. This is not just a performance; but an experience of healing with music,” Tu Nokwe said.

Definitely not to be missed, this end of year concert will celebrate the success of the inaugural show held last month, Tu Nokwe will perform a number of hit songs and compositions from her past 40 years as a songwriter and performer. With highly impressive supporting acts, Tu Nokwe will be on stage for an hour riveting her audience through performances in solo and joint combination, with a band made up of veteran artists and special guests.

With this second strand the TUNO MUSIC has invited a number of very special guests who will blend with a big crew of Musicians, Directors, MCs, Anchor Hosts, Stage Manager and of course, the Super Technical Crew of Sound & Light. And from now the Journey Of My Soul concerts will be developed into a TV pilot, and each month, a DVD will be released.

This month’s concert will see the return of celebrated Nokwes, the three generations raised through the family’s rich musical history inherited from great grandparents, Patty Masuku and Alfred Nokwe, present an electrifying treat in what should be another unmissable experience of rarely seen classics from the family.

“We hope this festive season as many people as possible will come to our last 2010 Journey Of My Soul concert and enjoy the excitement of experiencing a mix-bag of talent, Christmas carols, spirituality and a showcase of exceptional musicians,” said Idols sensation Ayanda who is also daughter to Marilyn Nokwe of the Mango Groove fame.

“There will be gift hampers for media, special guests and lucky ticket holders. Inside the hamper is a DVD with recent performances and other surprises, like personal gifts from Tu Nokwe’s JOS Journal, The 1st African Diary with excerpts of the book and a few self management concepts with a basic guide on how to journal creatively and mindfully with total awareness,” she said.

As it is the last Journey Of My Soul concert of the year by TUNO MUSIC, it is more than sure, that this production with its live performances will impress everyone.

This a remarkable opportunity to enjoy a dedicated musical experience. Music fans must book their concert tickets now and get ready for an unforgettable night out!

Journey Of My Soul series will have some great names coming, and last month’s concert was genuinely a great production, which showcased enthralling performances and visually stunning multi-media presentations.

After the main performance this Friday night, an exciting line-up of young talents, will share the stage with seasoned musicians and instrumentalists for Africa to indulge in its young talent and for the media to have a feast of truly African music, and to pay tribute to some of Africa’s musical treasures. Special guests will be added right up to the last minute of the one hour show.

Come and experience the thrill live again this Friday evening as the Journey Of My Soul 2 builds to the irresistible, unforgettable climax of the legendary African songs and dance, an invitation to a truly breathtaking musical experience.

With the doors opening at 6:30 pm. Concert starts at 8:00 pm. Program will feature, stalls open for people who wish to display good products aimed at human development for Spiritual-Physical-Emotional-Creative-Business & Mental aspects.

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This post was submitted by Cathy Woodlocke.

This post was submitted by Matthew.