19th November Phinda Mtya trio

Phinda Mtya-Matlala (born October 10, 1967 in Port Elizabeth, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province) is an afro-jazz singer, producer, composer, writer and actress who’s music is an infusion of gospel, afro-pop and blues.nnBeing the middle child between two siblings of Khayakhulu and Phelokazi Mtya, she grew up in a close-knit musical family. Her parents were intrinsically involved in music and they passed that passion on to their children. Her grandmother was a singer and pianist with her mother being a singer in her own right, and her older brother was also a prolific singer and a pianist – she drew her inspiration and was highly influenced by them.nnIn 2002, she and her group Mahube, partnered with Bono to produce the third world debt alleviation album aimed at Africa.nIn 2005, she co-wrote and sang on the soundtrack, God is African – from the academy award winning Tsotsi by Gavin Hood.nAt the end of 2006, she performed at the Oprah Winfrey New Year’s eve bash that was held at Sun City.nIn the same year, she also released her first album Yithi Paha which in 2007 won her first SAMA award for best adult contemporary album.nShe quickly followed up with another album in 2008, Mheka Phesheya, that bagged her a SAMA award nomination in the same category.nHer third album, Heaven Can Wait, was released under her own music label, Matlala music