PE Opera House’s popular Music Concert Series returns to the Main Stage as we round of this year’s Women In Arts Manyano which featured Nelson Mandela Bay’s talented Female writers; Directors; Choreographers; Musicians; Actors and Dancers.
We are proud to host PE’s very own award winning Afro-Jazz singer Phinda Mtya who will be accompanied by the Madiba Bay Jazz Orchestra conducted by Garreth Williams.
Phinda has established herself on the national music scene as a producer, composer, writer and actress whose music is an infusion of gospel, Afro-pop and blues. She has performed internationally with some of the country’s leading artists.
Her music career took off in 1997 when she joined the group Mahube, a Southern African band featuring Oliver Mtukudzi and Steve Dyer - and went on to tour Europe and many other countries overseas, expanding her craft and polishing her talent.
In 2000, she came back to South Africa and landed herself a leading role in the Lion King – she played the role of Rafiki – the Lion King’s chief advisor and she co-wrote the soundtrack, “Long Night’s Walk Into Day” with Lebo M.
In 2002, she and her group Mahube, partnered with Bono of U2 to produce the Third World debt-alleviation album aimed at Africa.
In 2005, she collaborated and sang on the soundtrack, “God is African” – from the Oscar-winning movie, “Tsotsi” by Gavin Hood.
At the end of 2006, she performed at Oprah Winfrey New Year’s Eve bash that was held at Sun City. That same year, she also released her first album “Yithi Paha” which in 2007 won her first SAMA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album.
She quickly followed up with another album in 2008, “Mbheka Phesheya”, that bagged her a SAMA Award nomination in the same category.
Her third album, “Heaven Can Wait”, was released under her own music label, Matlala Music, which clearly shows that she has a lot to offer the music world for years to come.
Also featured as a guest on the night will be Cape Town-born sensational saxophonist Sisonke Xonti, who has been hailed as a worthy successor to departed legendary tenors like Winston “Mankunku” Ngozi and Ezra Ngcukana.
Holding the musical tribute together will be the Madiba Bay Jazz Orchestra, a creative platform of emerging Bay artists whose mission is to take original Mzantsi classics to another level – with fresh and lush arrangements performed in a formal Big Band setting.
rnAll the musicians who are brilliant soloists in their own right, revel in expressing their creativity in unique arrangements while playing inventively and with great passion. The end result is Mzantsi jazz with a dynamic orchestral sound.
The Opera House and its programmes are funded by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Department of Sport Recreation Arts and Culture [EC Provincial Government], Department of Arts and Culture [National] and National Lotteries Commission.
The Opera House appreciates the extensive coverage by The Herald, Weekend Post, Bayfm and KQfm.
The Opera House welcomes donations from all persons who value promotion and development of Performing Arts. Donors will be acknowledged. We shall use donations to ensure access to arts for young and up and coming people as well as artistic charitable programmes that the institution has.