Edith Katiji- coming out! (14-12-06)

lang=EN-GB> HARARE – Mannenberg Jazz Club hosts another exciting development in the FLAME programme for women artists by Pamberi Trust on Friday.

This will take the form of a lively afro-jazz evening featuring Edith Katiji ‘coming out’ as a solo artist/jazz vocalist, in collaboration with the popular Tanga Wekwa Sando and his backing group.

Widely known as bass guitarist for the all-female group “Amakhosikazi” from

Bulawayo, 27-year-old Edith started her music career in 2001 as vocalist for the Bulawayo-based afro jazz outfit “Siyeza’, founded by Southern Freeway lead guitarist Handsome Mabiza. Wide session work in and out of the studio supported many artists productions, including Sandra Ndebele’s album ‘”Malaika” in 2003.

In the same year, Edith teamed up with other women musicians of Bulawayo under Amakhosi Performing Arts, to form Amakhosikai.

Influenced by legendary African singers like Miriam Makeba and Dorothy Masuku, Edith also enjoys the music of Sibongile Khumalo, and shares deep rich tones with another favourite, Nina Simone. Her compositions are in turn lively and energetic, and mellow and thoughtful.

She recently took part in ‘A Workshop for Women Artists by Women Artists’ in the FLAME (Female Literary Arts & Music Enterprise) Programme, for the development and promotion of women artist into the mainstream of the arts, which is being run by local arts organization Pamberi Trust in cooperation with the Dutch agency HIVOS. The workshop addressed issues which are relevant to young female artists in the industry, and was conducted by established artists who have already travelled that

road. It is part of an ongoing two-year programme by Pamberi Trust. – Penny Yon