Come and Enjoy a One Night Stand of Musical Fusion with 'Imbali' this Saturday!


In celebration of their 3 year musical repertoire, Imbali invites YOU to ‘The One Night Stand with Imbali #TONS4Funds’ on Saturday 25th July at The Space (9B Wolraad Road, Maitland), a night which promises to bring sentimental sounds from ‘the musical greats’ of the past and present!  

Born at UWC’s Gender Equity Unit, Imbali’s musical presence is characterised by a unique taste of afro-fusion, jazz and soul. Since 2012, Imbali has been performing their own cover versions of popular hits such as ‘Ntyilo Ntyilo’ by Miriam Makeba, ‘Cry Smile Dance’ by Judith Sepuma and ‘My African Dream’ by Vicky Sampson. Their band has even stepped up to the next level with the songs ‘Imbali’ and ‘We Chase’ – two original tracks that form part of their impressive portfolio! 
    

Since their birth, Imbali’s earthy presence has graced the stages of various communities, such as the ‘Difficult Conversation Series’ at UWC, the South African College of Music at UCT, My Earth Community Artsembles (Maitland), WHEAT (Women’s Hope Education & Training) Grantee Awards Ceremony at the Artscape Theatre, the District Six Homecoming Centre as well as the Stuttafords Valentine’s Day Extravaganza in 2013. Their band consists of 5 members, a few of them who are also part of the ‘Amici de Lumine’ youth choir: Thulisa Dunga (Acoustic Guitarist & Vocalist), Levert Louw (Percussionist & Vocalist), Leacretia Petersen (Lead Vocalist & Bass Guitarist), Nathan-Ross Adams (Pianist & Vocalist) and Angelo Fortuin (Bass Guitarist and Band Manager). 

Thulisa tells us the story of Imbali’s journey, which began with former members Jolyn Phillips (Vocalist), Cheslyn Solomons 
(Guitarist) and Lauren Vogt (Pianist). “We were first called ‘JUST US’ since we used to jam together just outside of the Gender Equity Unit,” he says. “We used to sit under a tree as Cheslyn taught Thulisa how to play guitar while Jolyn sang along. We later found out that Levert was keen on percussion, so we asked him to play the djembe drum for us. Then we met Leacretia and she sang along with us during a jam session and played some bass notes, so we included her as our bass guitarist. We then wrote a song, asked Angelo to listen to it, and soon after that he became the manager of our band. It was also a challenge to find a pianist, until one day Lauren saw us under the tree and asked for directions to the Centre for Performing Arts because she wanted to re-start her piano lessons. Right then and there we roped her into our jam sessions, and she stayed on as pianist until 2013.”

Once all band members were recruited, they decided that it was time for a new name. “We discovered that 'JUST US' was already in use,” says Thulisa. “After lots of talking, we realised that we don’t only share a passion for music, but we also have a big heart for nature. We decided on ‘Imbali’ (short for ‘Imbalentle’) which means ‘beautiful flowers’. We feel that blooming flowers represents hope, and that’s what we want people to hear in our music – our hearts and our passion.”

Angelo Fortuin encourages all to support Imbali at their fundraiser and he gives us a preview of what we can expect on the evening. “The One Night Stand #TONS4Funds event will feature Comedian Justin-Ray, Singer Shiniell Smith, Performance Poets Kyle Louw and Roché Kester as well as musical sets played by Imbali.” he says. “All funds collected will be invested into the music education of our band, and to support a children’s shelter in Mitchell’s Plan called ‘Elonwabeni’. All is welcome – come along and support, educate and inspire with Imbali!”

*** Come along to “The One Night Stand with Imbali” live show – tickets are still available for purchase! To book call Angelo on 084 517 5797 or imbalentle@gmail.com. Also visit Imbali on social media:  facebook.com/imbalentle and twitter.com/imbalentle.

Photos of Imbali below done by The Dollie House (#Artsemble), Ran Design (Music Experience) and Photos For Change (posing at SACM)








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