Nonhlanhla Wanda & Sharon Katz “Side-By-Side” CD Launch at Soul Sunday Sessions Northwood Crusaders Sports Club, Durban North, South Africa

A dynamic concert will be presented by Nonhlanhla Wanda & Sharon Katz featuring the music on their brand new CD of original compositions, “Side-By-Side”, recorded and produced by Malcolm Nhleko in January 2018. The concert features Nonhlanhla and Sharon on vocals; Sharon on guitar and the two women are backed by Durban’s finest musicians: Qhubekani Mthethwa on Bass; Charles Boykie Mnomiya on Drums; and Lungelo Ngcobo on keyboards.

The concert is free and “Side-By-Side” CDs will be on sale for a one time discount price of R100 for this special CD launch

When Nonhlanhla Wanda and Sharon Katz formed The Peace Train’s 500-voice multiracial youth choir in KwaZulu-Natal in 1993, their goal was to use music to promote the country’s first, fully inclusive elections and a peaceful transition to democracy. Traveling across South Africa aboard The Peace Train, joined by their friends Ladysmith Black Mambazo, they helped change hearts and minds to prepare communities to live together. Now, on the 25th anniversary of that historic ride, they are staging concerts with a world class backing band to share their brand new historic 2018 CD release “Side-By-Side”.

Nonhlanhla and Sharon originally trained their choir by traveling to the then-separated communities and schools throughout KZN. After the election, The Peace Train performed for many of President Mandela’s special events and became the first multiracial group to represent the new South Africa on a 5-week concert tour in America in 1995. Their first US-release, Imbizo, was nominated for a Grammy for Best World Music. Double Take was recorded with Abigail Kubeka and Dolly Rathebe; Carnival! features The Peace Train along with Sting, Elton John, Tina Turner and Madonna.

An award-winning film about their work entitled When Voices Meet features John Kani and Abigail Kubeka. After its World Premiere at the Durban International Film Festival, When Voices Meet was selected for over 25 festivals in America and has been shown in 49 countries in Africa, winning Best Documentary, Best Original Soundtrack, Audience Awards and the President’s Award. The Johannesburg premiere was of When Voices Meet was on 19 November, 2016, at the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Center.

In a recent interview on SABC “Morning Live”, Nonhlanhla and Sharon said they are delighted to share their story with South African audiences and they also look forward to thrilling audiences with their new Afro Jazz CD and dynamic live shows to celebrate their first duo album and their 25 years of friendship and music. The well traveled duo have performed in the premiere venues of the USA and they are ready to bring it all home once again!