The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) proudly brings you the second in a series of concerts leading up to the Celebrate Africa Festival on 27 May 2006.
On 4 May the Ghanaian sensation Rex Omar, Nigerian songstress ?s? and the South African gem Simphiwe Dana will be live at the Bassline in Newtown.
Rex Owusu Marfo otherwise known as Rex Omar is a composer, arranger, producer and culture advocate. Born in Kumasi, Ghana, he has a huge following in West Africa and beyond.
A Kora Awards nominee in 2004, he is also a winner of several awards including Best Contemporary Song in 2004 (Ghana Music Awards).
With an 18 year recording career he has to date released 11 albums. He?s mostly known for his album ?Dangerous? including the rocking hit song ?Abiba? a firm favourite with Ghanaian audiences and fans across the world.
Rex creatively blends Highlife, Afro pop and Jazz with strong influences from the Ashanti and Northern Ghana praise traditions. He will be backed by his eight-piece, normally twelve, high-tech touring band; the nu-Ashanty who he will arrange to retain the power of sound while providing unique and exciting renditions.
Wherever he goes, he leaves audiences in wild hysteria screaming for more. Take for example the excellence he bestowed on audiences at the Jazz ? Ouaga in Burkina Faso, or Les Escales Festival at St. Nazaire in France. South Africa has also had a taste of his magic. In August 2005 he appeared courtesy of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival and audiences were blown away by his performance!
?s? is a passionate performer, guitarist and singer infusing soul and jazz with African rhythms. This unique presentation has earned her much applause and support at home in Nigeria and abroad. Like most artists, she started from humble beginnings; doing small raves, and supporting gigs here and there, today she continues to climb the ladder of success with more fulfilling engagements.
She?s opened shows and performed with the likes of Femi Kuti (in Marseille), Ludacris (Mtv base), Akon (in Lagos, Nigeria), Archie Shepp & Kahlil El Zabar (in Bordeaux, France) and Les Nubians (in Paris, France). Her hit singles ??y? ?d?b?? and ?ib? in which she fuses soul, jazz with a south western Nigerian influence have gained wide spread airplay winning her the best new artist on Radio France Internationale (RFI).
Termed ?South Africa?s newest lady of Song?, Simphiwe Dana is currently what?s playing in most people?s ears. ?Her voice transports you to that golden era in South Africa?s history, to that Neo-Soul destination, establishing her reputation as a more spiritual and introspective musician and songwriter? (Gallo). ?Zandisile?, her debut album was released by Gallo Record Company in 2004. ?Ndiredi? the much requested and celebrated single from that album received much airplay on local radio stations.
A SAMA Awards nominee, she walked away with Best Jazz Vocal album and Best Newcomer (2004). It is not only her rich and textured voice that captivates audiences, but the tenderness and nostalgia that are unpretentious, yet meticulously arranged.
Her work also appears on the Yizo Yizo 3 soundtrack. Some few highlights include; sharing a stage with the sensational Angelique Kidjo in 2004 and performing for Madiba on his 83rd birthday. Last year (2005) she stunned dignitaries at the opening of parliament and later that year she took the Cape Town International Jazz Festival by storm. She rocked the crowds beyond the organisers? wildest expectations and was asked to give a second performance that same night!
There is no better place to be on the 4th of May 2006 than at the Bassline in Newtown at 20:30.
The choice and quality of artists billed for that night are guaranteed to give you a taste of what you can expect later on that month on the 27th of May at the Celebrate Africa Festival.
The Celebrate Africa Festival is proudly brought to you by The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), Nemisa, AS Entertainment, The Joburg Arts Alive International Festival, the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) and Kaya FM.
Due to the success of last years Celebrate Africa Day, the festival which is in its second year will offer audiences far more with activities ranging from photographic exhibitions, to workshops and music.
Billed to perform on the 27th May are world-class African artists that include: Bongo Maffin (SA), Meissa (Senegal), Amadou and Mariam (Mali), The Shrine (UK), Mapumba (DRC).
The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) proudly brings you the second in a series of concerts leading up to the Celebrate Africa Festival on 27 May 2006.
On 4 May the Ghanaian sensation Rex Omar, Nigerian songstress ?s? and the South African gem Simphiwe Dana will be live at the Bassline in Newtown.
Rex Owusu Marfo otherwise known as Rex Omar is a composer, arranger, producer and culture advocate. Born in Kumasi, Ghana, he has a huge following in West Africa and beyond.
A Kora Awards nominee in 2004, he is also a winner of several awards including Best Contemporary Song in 2004 (Ghana Music Awards).
With an 18 year recording career he has to date released 11 albums. He?s mostly known for his album ?Dangerous? including the rocking hit song ?Abiba? a firm favourite with Ghanaian audiences and fans across the world.
Rex creatively blends Highlife, Afro pop and Jazz with strong influences from the Ashanti and Northern Ghana praise traditions. He will be backed by his eight-piece, normally twelve, high-tech touring band; the nu-Ashanty who he will arrange to retain the power of sound while providing unique and exciting renditions.
Wherever he goes, he leaves audiences in wild hysteria screaming for more. Take for example the excellence he bestowed on audiences at the Jazz ? Ouaga in Burkina Faso, or Les Escales Festival at St. Nazaire in France. South Africa has also had a taste of his magic. In August 2005 he appeared courtesy of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival and audiences were blown away by his performance!
?s? is a passionate performer, guitarist and singer infusing soul and jazz with African rhythms. This unique presentation has earned her much applause and support at home in Nigeria and abroad. Like most artists, she started from humble beginnings; doing small raves, and supporting gigs here and there, today she continues to climb the ladder of success with more fulfilling engagements.
She?s opened shows and performed with the likes of Femi Kuti (in Marseille), Ludacris (Mtv base), Akon (in Lagos, Nigeria), Archie Shepp & Kahlil El Zabar (in Bordeaux, France) and Les Nubians (in Paris, France). Her hit singles ??y? ?d?b?? and ?ib? in which she fuses soul, jazz with a south western Nigerian influence have gained wide spread airplay winning her the best new artist on Radio France Internationale (RFI).
Termed ?South Africa?s newest lady of Song?, Simphiwe Dana is currently what?s playing in most people?s ears. ?Her voice transports you to that golden era in South Africa?s history, to that Neo-Soul destination, establishing her reputation as a more spiritual and introspective musician and songwriter? (Gallo). ?Zandisile?, her debut album was released by Gallo Record Company in 2004. ?Ndiredi? the much requested and celebrated single from that album received much airplay on local radio stations.
A SAMA Awards nominee, she walked away with Best Jazz Vocal album and Best Newcomer (2004). It is not only her rich and textured voice that captivates audiences, but the tenderness and nostalgia that are unpretentious, yet meticulously arranged.
Her work also appears on the Yizo Yizo 3 soundtrack. Some few highlights include; sharing a stage with the sensational Angelique Kidjo in 2004 and performing for Madiba on his 83rd birthday. Last year (2005) she stunned dignitaries at the opening of parliament and later that year she took the Cape Town International Jazz Festival by storm. She rocked the crowds beyond the organisers? wildest expectations and was asked to give a second performance that same night!
There is no better place to be on the 4th of May 2006 than at the Bassline in Newtown at 20:30.
The choice and quality of artists billed for that night are guaranteed to give you a taste of what you can expect later on that month on the 27th of May at the Celebrate Africa Festival.
The Celebrate Africa Festival is proudly brought to you by The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), Nemisa, AS Entertainment, The Joburg Arts Alive International Festival, the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) and Kaya FM.
Due to the success of last years Celebrate Africa Day, the festival which is in its second year will offer audiences far more with activities ranging from photographic exhibitions, to workshops and music.
Billed to perform on the 27th May are world-class African artists that include: Bongo Maffin (SA), Meissa (Senegal), Amadou and Mariam (Mali), The Shrine (UK), Mapumba (DRC).
