If Sophiatown was a suburb of Detroit, Nomfusi would probably be its most iconic citizen. Seemlessly fusing Motown with African jazz from the 60s, with a voice as big as Tina Turner and songs that speak for the people, this pint sized diva is going places. With appearances in 2009 at the
Cape Town International Jazz Festival and the
Afrikadey Festival in Calgary, she is already enjoying local and international success. Building a steady international following, this Khayelitsha songbird’s tour schedule for 2010 includes the
Celebrate Brooklyn Festival in New York, with more dates in Montreal; Toronto; Chicago; and countries as far flung as Latvia.
Be ready for a knock-out performance at The Bassline in Newtown, on Friday night, 5 March at 20:00, when she will be joined by her township band, The Lucky Charms, to give Jozi a taste of what Capetonians; Canadians; and Norwegians have been enjoying for more than a year.
Her debut album,
Kwazibani, released by Universal Music in November 2009, has been playlisted on all major local radio stations, including
Umhlobo Wenene;
Radio 2000; and
Kaya FM. The superbly filmed and striking music video for the title track is regularly flighted on SABC; Channel O; and MTV base. She has been interviewed on
Top Billing; e.tv's
Showbiz Report; and live TV appearances include
Afrocafe and
Morning Live. Her beautiful features have been photographed for
Destiny;
O Brigado; and
Marie Claire.
Nomfusi still resides in Khayelitsha, where she very recently started a book club in the township, called G Spot. “It’s to inspire girls to read, something I had to force myself to do from the age of 20, since I didn’t grow up in a culture where reading is ‘cool’.” She chose the name to make sure they don’t think it’s another boring trip to the library, but something fun and sexy to do. “G Spot is a space where we, besides encouraging literacy, can openly discuss topics like safe sex and relationships.”
Nomfusi’s unbelievable life story has been the topic of many news articles and international TV programmes.
For Nomfusi’s complete tour schedule, visit
www.nomfusi.com.