THE PEACE TRAIN PRESENTS:  “NASHOSHA”

Sharon Katz, Nonhlanhla Wanda and Shophi Ngidi have been collaborating for many years in South Africa and have just completed their second American tour. Their recent appearances include sell out concerts in New York, Philadelphia and Boston and included college campuses and concert halls from North Carolina to upstate New York.  Sharon’s guitar work combined with the charming voices of Shophi and Nonhlanhla and dynamic Zulu choreography give the trio, called “NASHOSHA” a serious edge and their concerts leave audiences on their feet and breathless.  Their debut CD  NASHOSHA “What is the story “, produced by Malcolm Nhleko,  has been called an “irresistible force”.

Sharon, Shophi and Nonhlanhla do the work of The Peace Train in community projects in South Africa in the Cape and in KwaZulu Natal. There they are known as the dynamic trio who “convert gang members into band members”.    The three singers also raise funds for the non profit “Friends Of  The Peace Train” that enables them to help children in South Africa.

Katz is on the roster for Carnegie Hall and has performed for Nelson Mandela and is featured on and has several albums to her credit namely “Crystal Journey” the Grammy nominated “Imbizo” and “Lerato” featuring the legendary South African jazz diva Dolly Rathebe.   Shophi ‘s debut CD “Vukani Kusile” and Nonhlanhla’s “Iva”  were released to great acclaim in 2006 in South Africa and America.

Purchase the trio’s brand new CD  “NASHOSHA What is the Story “at www.SharonKatz.com or CDbaby

Proceeds from the new CD go to the children’s feeding scheme at Nsimbini Primary School in Durban, South Africa.

NASHOSHA BIOS

Nonhlanhla Wanda was born in Durban, South Africa, and was a co-founder of The Peace Train in 1992.  She has been performing in America since 1994 including at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Disneyworld and Duke Ellington Performing Arts Center. Her rich, Afro-jazz vocal interpretations, Zulu dance style from the Umkomaas region of KwaZulu, and teaching degree offer audiences the unique blend of traditional and contemporary performance experiences.   Her debut CD with Iva Band called "Afrika" is well loved in South Africa.

Philisiwe Shophi Ngidi was a vocalist with Hugh Masekela and South African Pop Star Brenda Fassie before joining The Peace Train in 2004.  She tours regularly with the band in America and South Africa where her powerful vocal range and traditional Zulu dance style from the Umbumbulu region of KwaZulu in South Africa engage audiences of all ages.  She is a talented composer, recording artist and dance instructor and works with Friends Of The Peace Train Projects in Durban.   Shophi's debut CD "Vukani Kusile" was released in South Africa in 2005. 

Sharon Katz was born and educated in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. After defying the Apartheid regime to travel and perform across the racial barriers, she earned a Master’s Degree in Music Therapy.  She and Nonhlanhla Wanda formed The Peace Train in 1992 as South Africa’s first, 500-member, multiracial performance group and toured in support of Nelson Mandela’s Presidential campaign.  Sharon is a skilled African-picking guitarist, composer and singer who has performed with Ladysmith Black Mambazo as well as Miriam Makeba and Dolly Rathebe.  Her CD, Imbizo, was nominated for a Grammy in 2002.  She has been on the roster for Carnegie Hall