It’s Zonke for this year’s Blue Mingoli
The cat is finally out of the bag. After keeping fans and their customers waiting for a long time, Standard Bank has unveiled South Africa’s singer and song writer Zonke as the headliner of this year’s Blue Mingoli.
This year’s Blue Mingoli which was rebranded from Joy of Jazz will be held at Bingu International Conference Centre in Lilongwe on November 5.
Standard Bank Head of Communications and Marketing, Thoko Unyolo, said the bank is thrilled to bring the gifted South African artist to this year’s jazz concert.
“Zonke is an artist overloaded with amazing talent complemented by endless experiences. Her style of music has been mainly laid back on a soulful live vibe, with the feel of the well-known acid Jazz innovators setting her apart from other artists,” Unyolo said.
Zonke, full name Zonke Dikana, said in a video that she is more than ready to perform in the country.
She said people should catch her live performing at the Standard Bank Blue Mingoli in Lilongwe.
“Hello Malawi, Zonke here. Catch me live performing at the Standard Bank Blue Mingoli at Bingu International Conference Centre on the 5 November, 2016. Looking forward to seeing you all,” she said.
Zonke said in the video in Chichewa that “Nyimbo ndi Moyo” meaning that music is life.
The producer, who was born on October 11, 1979, said she felt honoured to be part of this year’s event.
“I assure my fans of a memorable event. Together we will bring out Jazz in the Warm Heart of Africa and I can’t wait to see you,” she said.
According to Standard Bank, Zonke, the diva, is one of South Africa’s biggest stars and that she not only performs but also writes and produces her own material.
The statement said Zonke is currently the most sought-after contemporary female musicians in South Africa and that she has breathed life into many songs over the years on albums by the likes of Thebe, late TK, Loyiso, Skizo, Bongo Maffin and Mafikizolo.
She is also said to have contributed to the potentially massive hit, All in the way with international house music guru, Frank Roger.
With three albums on major international labels under her belt, Zonke recently won two South African Music Awards (Sama) for Best Live DVD and Best African Adult album.
Her latest album Work of Heart has received three Metro FM nominations in the categories of Best Female, Best R & B and Best African Pop album.
Zonke is currently signed to TMP Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment.
Standard Bank started with Joy of Jazz before rebranding to Blue Mingoli and so far it has managed to host among others, US Jazz maestro Earl Klugh and other South African artists Zahara and Lira.
Lira performed last year and shared the stage with the country’s artist Lulu.
While Standard Bank has settled for Zonke this year for its Blue Mingoli, Stanbic Bank in Zambia is hosting well-known British reggae and pop band UB40.
The group will perform on October 7 and 8 during the festival which is now in its third year.
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