Talented Local Vocalist Lu Dlamini Live in KZN

This performance is supported by Concerts SA and brought to you by iSupport. Concerts SA is a joint South African/Norwegian initiative that aims to stimulate live music in South Africa by finding and implementing ways to create regular, sustainable performance platforms. It also aims to develop an interest in and appreciation of live music by showcasing music performances and conducting workshops at schools.

No stranger to the stage, whenever talented Lu Dlamini performs the audience istransfixed byher music and carried on a magical journey. Vocalist Lu Dlamini is influenced by her journey in life and to a lesser degree, the many artists she has worked with in her career. It is mostly traditional African music influences such as amahubo, umakhweyana and isichathamiya that speak to her as a vocalist and composer. There is also a little bit of umubholoho (african choral) and an afro jazz element to her sound.

Acousticby nature, her music features the exquisite instrumentation by the likes of Sbusiso Zondi on drums, Mazwakhe Gumede on Bass and Barney Bophela on Keys.

A product of the esteemed Inanda Seminary, Lu Dlamini moved to Johannesburg and enrolled at Fuba Arts College to study music. It did not take the Johannesburg music fraternity long to realize that this was an exceptional voice. Soon she was in Kamazu's band, then with Ali Katt, then with Brenda Fassie, where she stayed for 3 years. At the same time she was acting in "Zikhethele 3" which was a TV youth series that was the South African equivalent to the American "Fame". This was followed by a 10-year stint in the band of Sipho Hotstix Mabuse. With this band Lu toured all over the world and gained vast amounts of experience on stage as well as in the recording studio. When her schedule with Hotstix allowed she would also work with Sankomota and Mango Groove amongst others.

Frequent touring in Europe, America and Japan fostered in her a healthy patriotic fervor, which led to a period running cultural exchange programs which are ongoing under the auspices of her artist outreach programme 'Art Knows No Boundaries". In 2010, Ian Osrin of Digital Cupboard introduced Lu to the world-renowned guitarist Steve Newman and they immediately decided to work together in the studio. This culminated in the Jikanelanga project. A CD that must still rank as one of the most beautiful world music albums ever to come out of South Africa. Internationally her experience attests to her talents as a backing vocalist. Whilst she was a backing singer for S.A's world renowned icon (trombonist) Jonas Gwangwa, who's band was a resident band for M-Net's (Dali Tambo's) Night Moves she backed Mick Hucknall of Simply Red as well as Grace Jones.

In 2011 she also sang on songs by Beyonce, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Coldplay for Grammy Award winning American Producer, Kenny Young's Rhythms Del Mundo project. But the call of the Kwa-Zulu Natal South Coast where she grew up was too strong. She relocated to KwaZulu Natal in 2012. Lu composes her own music with lyrics in Isinguni, Portuguese and English.

Don't miss Lu's riveting performance on Saturday 28 November Seaman's Corner, Hammarsdale (Unit 3) Doors 7pm R30. Tickets at the door, on https://www.webtickets.co.za or at Pick and Pay