New CD: Nonhlanhla Wanda & Sharon Katz “Side-By-Side”

Side-By-Side Cover

Grammy-nominee Sharon Katz and Nonhlanhla Wanda are celebrating 25 years of worldwide touring and musical collaboration by releasing a new CD, “Side-By-Side.” The official launch will be on Sunday, 25 February at 13.00 as part of the Sunday Soul Sessions concert series at the Northwood Crusaders Sports Club, 10 Ranleigh Crescent in Durban North, just off the M4/North Coast Highway’s Broadway exit. The new CD will be available for a special discount price of R100 at the launch.

The international performers, who were the original founders of The Peace Train project in the 1990’s, have come back home to Durban to record “Side-By-Side” with producer Malcolm Nhleko of Maltre Studios. The Afro-Jazz-Contemporary fusion album features all original compositions by Nonhlanhla and Sharon and showcases their distinctive voices and gorgeous harmonies complemented by the instrumental virtuosity of Sharon on guitar; Qhubekani Mthethwa on bass; Charles Boykie Mnomiya on drums; and Sanele Phakathi on piano and synthesizer. Lungelo Ngcobe will join the band for the CD launch.

Following the launch in Durban, they will perform in Johannesburg, Soweto and Soshanguve before embarking on an American tour in July. The duo contributes proceeds from their concerts and CD sales toward social development projects in all these areas including supporting a children’s home, bursaries for orphans, after-school cultural programmes, and therapeutic music projects across the country.

Sharon and Nonhlanhla are also the subjects of the multiple-award winning film, “When Voices Meet.” It documents the role of The Peace Train in creating South Africa’s first, 500-voice multiracial youth choir in KwaZulu-Natal in 1993; its groundbreaking concert tour across the country in support of the first democratic elections; The Peace Train’s first tour of America after President Mandela was elected; and the long-term impact of the project as told by the participants 20 years later. The film, which premiered at the Durban International Film Festival, has gone on win awards at more 30 film festivals around the world and been broadcast in over 50 countries. John Kani and Abigail Kubeka also feature in the film.

In addition to their own CDs, the group was recorded on the Carnival! album with Sting, Tina Turner, Elton John and Madonna. They have also recorded with Dolly Rathebe and Abigail Kubeka and featured Ladysmith Black Mambazo on The Peace Train’s original tour.

For more information and bookings: www.SharonKatz.com Email: