SIMPHIWE DANA is the new voice of South Africa and is already compared to artists such as the most successful South African Singers Miriam Makeba or US performers such as the great soul singer Erykah Badu or Hip Hop singer Lauryn Hill.

Her debut Album “Zandisilie” was released in 2004 and instantly reached double platinum status in South Africa and hit number 3 of the European World Music Charts. The Album was nominated in 4 categories of the South African Music Award, 2 of which she won: “Best Jazz Vocal Album” and “Best Newcomer”

In 2006 her second Album “The One Love Movement on Bantu Biko Street” was released which again hit platinum and also got her 4 nominations for the South African Music Awards, whereas this time she won all four of the nominations: -„Best Album of the Year“, “Best Female Solo Artist”, “Best Contemporary Jazz” and “Best Jazz Vocal Album”.

“This Woman has what it takes. The fact is that Simphiwe Dana has been blessed with a voice that makes people perk up their ears” – Rolling Stone

Simphiwe Dana composes all of her songs herself . Her fabulous combinations of traditional music and African Pop, Hip Hop Jazz, Soul and Gospel regularly captivate audiences all across the world. The proud South African singer sings in her traditional tribe language “Xhosa” giving her already very individual compositions a highly personal note.

Apart from her strong fan base in South Africa where Simphiwe is a regular guest on prestigious shows and where she performs together with international stars such as Angelique Kidjo, Simphiwe is also highly celebrated in Europe. She enthused audiences whilst touring through Germany, Spain, England, Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands. A few highlights include her performances at Barbican London, Jazzfest Aalen, PalatiaJazz, Festival Mundial and Jazzfest Vienna, Festival Acert (Portugal), Afro Festival in Wintherthur, London African Music Festival, Roma Jazzfest, Estival de Jazz in Lugano amongst many others. During the World cup in Germany 2006 she was invited to play a concert at Brandenburger Tor and at the AVO Session in Basel she was awarded with the AVO Award, next to Elton John that year.
In early spring 2010 Simphiwe Dana will be releasing her new album produced by Craig Street (Norah Jones, Cassandra Wilson) followed by tour dates through Europe – sure to enthuse critics and audiences alike!