DANI NIEWOUDT:  Dina discovered this local singer-songwriter quite by chance, and so has nicknamed her ‘Serendipity’ (discovery by accident).  She is the epitomy of a female John Meyer (covered his track ‘Daughters’) and has an easy manner with colourful vocals.  Her own songs have great depth and emotion, well-structured lyrics and fluid guitar, and hey! Who said short was a disadvantage?  This power-lady with her technical guitar package delivers a mean set, and even her silly song (her own words) ‘Blue Jeans’ soothed and enriched the line ‘how fragile life is’? Her more upbeat song ‘Dreams’ had us foot-tapping, and with glinting eyes, quirky and clever lyrics, she is an exciting new discovery!

SHANNON HOPE:  It was such a pleasure to listen to this classically trained, internationally experienced art-pop pianist who is enjoying local radio play. She has a powerful voice yet her tenderness with the keyboard is evocatively endearing.  She is modern and cute, and with a long sweeping red fringe peeping from her sparkly head scarf, she immediately controls the space. Her passionate story-telling invites you into her world.  She has supreme voice/mic control, shaking her head, throwing her voice in and out of mic range.  She knows exactly what she wants out of her voice, and she gets it.  My favourite of her set was ‘Seduction’ – it was sheer mastery with sultry overtures and in-your-face play acting. The Michael Jackson cover of ‘Billie Jean’ was awesome and she owned it I thought!   She simply thrives on what she does, and has an unpretentious vulnerability with star quality. Check her out on www.shannonhope.co.za and on facebook.

SAZI DLAMINI:  Jazz, guitar, composer + specialist in children’s musical performance productions.  He is an indigenous musical instrument teacher, including original home-made instruments, and wowed us with his Umakhaweyaena (Nguni musical bow) a curved, thin wooden bow with a small calabash off the curved part in the centre, and a string pulled taught end to end, with the string being gently knocked with a split-brush, giving off a repetitive reverberation.  His gentle, melodic vocals conjured up images of a camp fire with the kicking up of African dust from a dancing maiden’s bare feet. He has a happy, open face and each song tells a traditional story – of young men and sangomas - very different and entertaining.  Find out more about this interesting man and his home-made indigenous musical instruments on www.drummingafrica.co.za/Instruments.

MELVIN PETERS – a man born to be behind the piano. He is such an accomplished professional, with fingers all over the keyboard, like raindrops on a slippery surface.  His graceful jazzy numbers had his keys singing their own melody, effortless and purposeful. He reads no music, just conjures it all up from the deep recesses of his brilliant musical memory.  He played tirelessly, sharing his love and respect for the music of Abdulla Ibrahim.  He is credited with a B.Mus and Masters, and is a sought-after musical director and lecturer, earning the respect of his peers and has toured the USA, UK and Europe a number of times.  He has shared the stage with the likes of Ginger Baker, Herb Ellis and Abdulla Ibrahim, and performs for corporate and international events with his Melvin Peters Trio.  To contact Melvin for your corporate events go to www.wragency.co.za.

The evening drew to a close with the blend of ‘power and cream’ voices of guest singers, Pinkie and Nonhlanhla, accompanied by  Melvin, with audience participation on A-weema-weh (the lion sleeps tonight) and Nina Simone’s ‘My baby don’t care for me’.  Dina joined in for ‘Summertime’ and then sang out on her own to ‘two lovers ’ with finger-clicking and a genre well suited to her voice.  An uplifting way to round off such a floor show of diverse talent.

Joh, Tiffany and Ginger welcome you to Northwood Crusaders Bowling Club (off Broadway) every 1st Wed of the month.   The next showcase will be hosted by Ginger on March 3rd.  Safe parking, pub grub, easy-on-the-pocket frosties and friendly folk.  Come and join us!  Contact Joh on 0823309652.