She is dubbed South Africa’s First Lady of Song, and is widely regarded as a musical genius with unparalleled vocal prowess.On what it feels like to be called the First Lady of Song in South Africa, Sibongile Khumalo says that for her it brings a sense of responsibility that can be quite onerous. She says her career thus far has been a gratifying journey, full of great and wonderful music and musicians.
One cannot doubt that, seeing as she has performed in some of the world’s grandest stages, with some of the world’s biggest and most talented stars, and she has worked and toured the USA with Hugh Masekela, being a part of the ‘Intercontinental’ tour with Jack Dejohnette which she says at the time humbled her and and was a tremendous honour. She has also been heard at the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Festival Hall and the Barbican Centre. She was part of the African Odyssey series at the Kennedy Centre, Washington DC and she has performed at Ronnie Scott’s in London.
Meeting her, one is immediately struck by her regalness and composure, coupled to her humility which comes through as you speak to her. Khumalo started learning about music from a very young age from her father, whom she deems as a mentor. She won the Standard Bank Young Artist (SBYA) award for music in 1993, and she has since gained legendary status in the South African music scene. Two decades later, she says it’s a pleasure to be back at the Joy of Jazz festival. For her, focus, hard work and commitment have contributed to her success and growth in the industry.
She took her art seriously enough to further her studies and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Zululand and an Honours Degree in the History of Music from the University of the Witwatersrand. “In the same way gold goes through intense heat or a diamond is cut and polished, education is that important” Khumalo says.
Sibongile Khumalo will be perfoming at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival which starts this week in Johannesburg. The 2014 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival is produced by T-Musicman and brought to audiences by Standard Bank in association with the Department of Arts & Culture, the City of Johannesburg and South African Tourism.
To find out more about the Joy of Jazz festival go to:
Ø www.joyofjazz.co.za
Ø www.standardbankarts.co.za.
Ø www.facebook.com/standardbankjoyofjazz
Ø http://www.sbseventsmarketingsolutions.com
Ø http://standardbank.mobi/jazz
Ø twitter.com/joyofjazz
Ø www.facebook.com/standardbankjoyofjazz
Ø youtube.com/standardbankgroup
•Tickets for the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival, where Sibongile Khumalo will be performing, cost between R250 and R350 and are available through Computicket.