Gloria Bosman Live @ Jazz & African Music Nights
Born in Mofolo, but was raised in Pimville, Soweto. In much the same way as most of her American contemporaries, Gloria Bosman began her ‘career’ singing in a church Choir. After a production at the Market Theatre in 1993, both Nedbank and the Permanent Bank, awarded her a scholarship, which enabled her to study opera at the Technikon Pretoria. Catch one of South Africa’s beautiful daughter of song this Friday (3rd September 201…0) at the South African State Theatre, Pretoria.
Her debut album ‘Tranquillity’ was produced and arranged by pianist Paul Hanmer, who along with Gloria and McCoy Mrubata, were partly responsible for the compositions. Gloria was a South African Music Award finalist in 3 categories for “Tranquillity” – Best Female Artist, Best Newcomer, and Best Contemporary Jazz Album. She won the award for Best Newcomer. Recognition of her talent didn’t end there. She was also nominated for a Channel O music video award for her first music video “Amaqwati” for Best Afro-Jazz video, as well as being nominated for the All African KORA Awards for Best Southern African Artists.
Gloria’s second solo recording, “The Many Faces of Gloria Bosman” comprises ten original tracks and features some of the finest musicians this country has to offer. Haunting, happy and spiritual, the album transcends many of the musical boundaries taking the listener through the many facets of Gloria’s personality and musical ability, encompassing a myriad of styles that she includes in her extensive repertoire.
Gloria received 2 nominations at the prestigious 2001 Kora Awards for ‘Best Southern African Artist’ and ‘Most Promising Female Artist’. She was also nominated for a South African Music Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album for “The Many Faces Of Gloria Bosman”.
“Stop and Think”, her third album was released in 2002. This album will remind many fans of her first appearances when she built a reputation for singing the standards better than they were originally performed. The album flows between her beautiful renditions of Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, Fever, Summertime, Time After Time, Lizzie and Ntyilo Ntyilo; and original works that highlight her ability as a songwriter especially notable on, “There Will Come a Time” and “Umuntu Wakho”. This beautiful album earned Gloria 2 nominations at the 2003 SAMAs in the categories of Best Female Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album.
Gloria Bosman has thus far released five albums under her belt and has performed live at numerous clubs and festivals throughout the country. She has shared the stage with the likes of Sibongile Khumalo, Moses Molelekwa, Tananas, Sipho Mabuse, Vusi Mahlasela, James Philips, Victor Masondo and Hugh Masekela to name only a few.
