Born with a talent that was soon to be discovered, Mimi started performing at a very tender age, she
is blessed with an incontestable talent to beat many her age. Asked when she started singing? “At
church like many others and the fact that music was an ever pervading presence in my home” she
said. The highly acclaimed young South Africa's jazz vocalist/ lyricist Mimi originates from
Boksburg-Ekurhuleni.
She had found her natural niche and pursued her Music Education through UCT completing her
Jazz Performance Degree, it was during her time there when she performed excellently that her
career started taking off. Her astonishing vocal abilities paved way for her and she found herself
sharing the world's big stages with the likes of Sibongile Khumalo, Judith Sephuma, Jimmy Dludlu,
Themba Mkhize, to name just a few at home, she has also proudly shared the stage with big names
internationally including Khadja Nin, Rita Marley, Joe McBride and Lauryn Hill.
The songstresses most anticipated debut album named “Essence of my soul”, came at no better
time after gaining good accolades from performances around the world and after having worked
with incredible amount of talent including being a part of quite amazing groups like; Tucan Tucan,
UCT Philharmonic Orchestra, Mamavox. SAFRA Jazz Band consisting of women from France and
South Africa.
This award winning album boasts sounds loaded with warm tunes, eclectic beautiful melodies
(including video song Goodbye Loneliness) and remarkable v ocal talent. Other songs Uthando
Luphelile, Africa Hlanganani/ Unido which is partly written in Portuguese and possess deep African/
Latin sounds, Goodbye Loneliness has brazed the local and some international air waves for some
time and still doing good.
This young overly talented songstress will be often seen on big stages singing assorted Jazz-
Incredible selection of songs, classics from the repertoire of the most terrific singers of the 20th
Century; Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sarah Va ughan. This time given a modern and a wonderful
twist with beautiful arrangements that swing and amazing execution of the ballads.
Mimi simply is an embodiment of a “prodigy” in the Jazz Scene following incredibles like Mirriam
Makeba, Caiphus Semenya, Hugh Masekela. Such prodigious talent sets an incontestable
ACCOLADES & PERFORMANCES
Nominated with Tucan Tucan- Channel O music Awards (2003)
Leading Vocalist for an Afro-Latin Jazz band Tucan Tucan, based in Cape Town and led by
pioneering Mozambican drummer Frank Paco.
Selected as the vocalist for Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band (2004-2005) directed by
Carlo Mombeli.
Performed at JMB Metropolitan horse race event (2005)
Part of Shoprite Woman of the year Celebration (2005)
Performed Cape Town International Jazz Festival (2005) with Tucan Tucan and the Moreira
Project and Ray Charles Tribute Band at the (2006) Festival
Performed with the Stockholm Jazz Orchestra under Fredrik Noren for the SABC's Top Billing 10th
Birthday Anniversary celebration.
Invited to perform at the cultural Festival in New-Orleans (2006)
Performed at the Presidents 10th year Closing Ceremony (CT) (2006)
Partaking in the SAFRA Jazz Band ( 2007 ) Performed at True love woman's function (2007)
Released her debut Album “Essence of my soul” (2007)
Performed at Jonny Walker' jazz legends celebration (2007)
Tribute to Letta Mbulu and Caiphuis Semenya at the Grahamstown festival
Nominee for Best Female and Best Newcomer at the Metro FM music Awards (2008)
Award winner of Best Jazz Album “Essence of my Soul” Metro FM Awards (2008)
Tribute to Miriam Makeba at the Metro FM Music Awards (2008)
Award winner for Multilingualism and National Building Female Artist (2008/2009) |
