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Hugh Masekela copyright Griot GmbH
GRIOT ARTISTS ON TOUR 2011/2012 - SOUTH AFRICA
SEE ALL HERE BELOW OR LISTED BY CATEGORY: SOUTH AFRICA JAZZ
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HUGH MASEKELA THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC LEGEND
Hugh Masekela Griot copyright Griot GmbH
Hugh Masekela has covered the globe and played with just about every top star you can think of - Masekela wrote anumber of international hits and sold several million CDs..The single 'Grazing in the Grass' topped the Rolling Stones' Jumping Jack Flash in the US charts (and brought him a Grammy).  His hit "Bring Him Back Home"ugh Masekela became the anthem for Nelson Mandala's world tour following his release from prison. His recent albums have all gone platinum.  "The man with the horn" is a living legend, a genius musician and great performer who is even getting better in his "old days".
And Hugh Masekela is more up to date than ever !
He opened both - the kick of concert and the opening ceremeony of the world cup in South Africa worldwide on TV. All concerts in 2010 were incredible events - he was celebretad in Oslo in front of 80 000 people as well as in the Carnegie Hall and the Royal Festival Hall ... all sold out. A number of new CDs came on the market. In 2011 he wil not only come with his band, but also with a number of new productions like "Celebrate Mama Afrika". 
Tour periods 2011: summer including August and October November. Exclusive territory: Europe.
Traveling Party: 11
CELEBRATE MAMA AFRIKA THE SOUTH AFRICAN TRIBUTE TO  
MAMA AFRIKA 
Thandiswa copyright Griot Gmbh Hugh Masekela copyright Griot GmbH A unique and authentic musical tribute to Mama Afrika
by and with Hugh Masekela

Line up: 
Hugh Masekela & the Hugh Masekela Band
Vusi Mahlasela
The Mahotella Queens 
Zolani Mahola (lead singer Freshlyground) Thandiswa.
On special occasions we can add:
The original Miriam Makeba choir (in co-operation with BPR)
Angelique Kidjo (in co-operation with V.O.Music).
Zolani Mahola copyright Griot GmbH Vusi Mahlasela copyright Griot GmbH The show is a tribute to the beauty of the African continent and it´s people and contains the most beautiful songs that became famous all over the world thanks to the great and unforgettable Miriam Makeba. "Celebrate Mama Afrika" had it´s permier at the
Rio Loco Festival this summer and we are looking forward to sending you a DVD if you are interested to book this outstanding event.
The Mahotella Queens copyright Griot GmbH PS: GRIOT toured the late Miriam Makeba fopr several years under direction of BPR. Please find more information about Celebrate Mama Afrika by clicking on Miriam Makeba´s image.      Miriam Makeba copyright Griot GmbH and BPR
Tour periods 2011/2012: summer and autumn.  Exclusive territory: the world. Traveling party: 15 (12 on stage)
THE MAHOTELLA QUEENS
 THE WORLD´s OLDEST GIRLSBAND
Mahotella Queens copyright Mahothella Queens and Griot GmbH South Africa´s legendary Mahotella Queens: Hilda Tloubatla, Nobesuthu Mbadu and Mildred Mangxola are indeed queens - The Mahotella Queens - 3 doyennes, who since the mid-sixties, have been singing, dancing and selling-out shows worldwide.
What is still making them so special ...
Maybe 40-plus years of performing together, that makes it seem that these sisters have been doing it forever!  As Hilda says:

“I guess we are true musicians – born musicians – we’re talented! We`ve got the spirit of true musicians, hence we know how to go about a song… how to do a song, like with “Town Hall” [a song we know how to sing]… & people ask, how do you do it, how do you start, cos we don’t see anyone doing a sign to say now we’re going to do this…? Its in us… we’ve been together for a long time, hence we know exactly what to do..”
Tour periods 2011: summer and autumn. Exclusive territory: Europe. Traveling Party: 9




FRESHLYGROUND
SOUTH  AFRICA`S MOST POPULAR BAND
Freshylground copyright Griot GmbH Highlights 2006-20010: Support act for Robbie Williams and support for the Oscar movie “Tsotsi“ at the Cannes film festival.  "European MTV Award" for "Best African Act".
Performance with B.B. King in Paris. The second album "Nomvula" reaches 7 times platinum sales and Doo Be Doo becomes the most played single in South Africa.
Third album "Ma Chéri" reaches platinum within a few days. Freshlyground voted & awarded "Best Band" by South African audiences (Metro FM Award). Freshlyground nominated in seven categories for South African Music Awards - winning four categories & winning Album of the Year and Best Band 2008.
Freshlyground sings and performs the official FiFa anthem "Waka Waka" together with Shakira. Fourth Album "Radio Africa" out now.
Tour periods 2011: summer and on request. Exclusive territory: Europe. Traveling party: 12
VUSI MAHLASELA THE VOICE PRESENTS "SAY AFRICA"
Vusi Mahlasela copyright Griot GmbH Vusi Mahlasela, is simply known as "'The Voice" in his home-country, South Africa, celebrated for his distinct, powerful voice and his poetic, optimistic lyrics. His songs of hope connect Apartheid-scarred South Africa with its promise for a better future. 

Vusi Mahlasela will present his new album "Say Africa" on tour. The album was produced by Taj Mahal and will be realeased in January 2011.

„Vusi Mahsasela sings as a bird does, in total response to being alive. Vusi’s music is here to stir and delight us. He is a national treasure“ (Nadine Gordimer)dt muecke@griot
Tour periods: May/June/July and October 2011. Exclusive territory: GAS. Traveling party: 1-6
LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO 3 TIMES GRAMMY AWARD WINNERS
Ladysmith Black Mambazo copyright
 A radio broadcast in 1970 brought about their first record contract. Since then the group has recorded over forty albums, selling over seven million records at home and abroad, establishing themselves as the number one selling group from Africa.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo have been nominated for a Grammy 12 times and won it three times: most recently in 2009 for their new album „Ilembe“ (“Best Traditional World Music CD”).
Their work with Paul Simon on the "Graceland" album attracted a world of fans that never knew that the sounds of Zulu harmony could be so captivating. The album sold over 14 million times. One of the hits of the album was the Mambazo song “Homeless”. 
The group has recorded with numerous artists from around the world besides Paul Simon (e.g. Stevie Wonder). Their film work includes a featured appearance in Michael Jackson's video "Moonwalker" and Spike Lee's "Do It A Cappella". Black Mambazo has provided soundtrack material for Disney's "The Lion King Part II",  Eddie Murphy's "Coming To America", Marlon Brando's "A Dry White Season", James Earl Jones' "Cry The Beloved Country" and Sean Connery's "League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen". 
Tour periods 2012: May. Exclusive territory: GAS. Traveling party: 10
THANDISWA INGOMA
Thandiswa copyright Griot GmbH
Thandiswa caused a sensation when her first album "Zabalaza" entered the charts and won the hearts of jazz and worldmusic lovers in South Africa. She has been awarded as "Best Female Artist" and also won "Best contemporary album"for her debut album. Also her second album "Ibokwe" reached platinum status within shortest time.

Thandiswa has been celebrated on a number of international festivals in Europe like the Africa Festival Wuerzburg or at Rio Loco Festival when she did not only perform with her own band, but also as guest of Hugh Masekela in "Celebrate Mama Afrika".
Her interpretation of two Miriam Makeba songs were absolute  highlights of the festival

Check out this video  Lahlumlenze  and get an idea about her powerful performance and remarkable voice.
Tour periods 2011: summer. Exclusive territory: Europe. Traveling party: 10 (8 musicians on stage)
HOT WATER A DAY IN CAPE TOWN
Copyright Hot Water and Griot GmbH
 Hot Water are a fresh and exciting band uniting five different and diverse cultures that gives them an invaluable role to play in the New South Africa. Based in Cape Town and captained by South African singer-songwriter and guitarist Donovan Copley, the band is a densely African fusion of powerful, uplifting sounds and vocals.

Hot Water was voted best Band in south Africa by Mens Health Magazine September 2008.
They represents the great diversity that embodies the South African nation. It is no surprise that five tracks fromt their album Home, have been chosen to appear on the international EDEL release "A Day in Cape Town"
Tour periods : summer 2011.  Exclusive territory: Europe  Traveling party:  6-7




THEMBA MKHIZE AFRICAN JAZZ & VOCAL MUSIC AT IT´S BEST
Themba Mkhize copyright Griot GmbH

As director and producer he worked with Hugh Masekela, Bayete, Miriam Makeba, Ouma Sangare, Sibongile Khumalo, Busi Mhlongo. His first album deservedly won two SA Music Awards for Best South African Traditional Jazz Album and Best Producer and the Daimler Chrysler Award for South African Jazz. His second album was nominated 4 times in the 2002 SAMA awards (and won three of them). Themba´s most recent offering (Hands On) won two of the major awards in South Africa namely Metro FM Award (Jazz category) and MTN SAMA Award (Best Male Artist).
Themba Mkhize was on tour in November 2008 and presented his new album "Scenes from the South" (SKIP Records) at some prestiguos jazz festivals. He returned in 2009 to record with SWR Big Band and presented  "Shosholoza" - a musical journey to South Africa with them in 2010. 
Tour periods Themba Mkhize and SWR Big Band plus star guests: summer 2011. Exclusive territory: Europe.
Traveling party: more than 20 :-)




LIRA SOUTH AFRICA´S AFRO SOUL QUEEN
Lira copyright Griot GmbH and Jazzworx Lira is known for eclectic sounds comprising elements of Afro-pop, R&B and jazz. She became a mega selling singer in South Africa with her second album "Feel Good" ("Best Jazz Album 2007,  Metro FM Awards). The title song "Feel Good" was the most downloaded song in South Africa in 2008. With her third album "Soul In Mind".Lira succeeded to cause a sensation at this year´s South African Music Awards: she was nominated for 6 SAMA awards ... she finally won in the following categories, making her the most decorated winner of this year´s SAMA awards:  

Best adult contemporary album: English, 
Best remix of the year, 
Best Female Artist 
Album of the Year- Soul In Mind
Tour periods 2011: summer. Exclusive territory:Europe. Traveling party: 9





 





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