Celebrate SA’s heritage with our very own Lu Dlamini
DURBAN songstress Lu Dlamini will be celebrating diverse cultures during heritage month when she takes to the stage at the Playhouse on Friday, but her show will also be a festival of family.
The talented singer and composer will be joined by her brother, Njeza Dlamini, who will provide the opening act for her show in a comeback performance following a minor stroke and being diagnosed with diabetes.
The brother and sister come from a musical family which includes their brother, ethnomusicologist Dr Sazi Dlamini, who was recently given the eThekwini Living Legend Award.
Lu, who is known for her vibrant performances, meaningful lyrics and soulful voice, will perform alongside her regular trio of Barney Bophela on keyboards, Mzwakhe Gumede on bass and Mzamo Zungu on drums.
Njeza, who plays a guitar and sings for T Box Bass, will be accompanied by Sphelele Dlamini on penny whistle, bamboo flute and vocals and Njabulo Shabalala on percussion and vocals.
Lu has made a name for herself beyond the borders of South Africa.
Her amazing experiences include being a backing singer for the country’s renowned icon Jonas Gwangwa, whose band was the resident band for Dali Tambo’s Night Moves show on M-Net, and she was a back up singer for once uberpopular British band band Simply Red, with lead singer Mick Hucknull, and for Grace Jones.
In 2011 she sang on compositions by Beyonce, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Coldplay and for Grammy Award-winning American producer, Kenny Young’s Rhythms Del Mundo project.
Dlamini recently performed at both the National Arts Festival and the State Theatre in Pretoria.
This heritage month show is important to Dlamini, she said: “Heritage is a gift handed down from the past as a tradition and this September I celebrate my heritage with the sounds of hope, purpose, truth and wisdom.”
Lu Dlamini’s concert takes place on Friday in the Grand Foyer of the Playhouse, starting at 8pm. Admission is R100.