In 2023, the Intimate Evening Series—a collaboration between Liberty, Griza Enterprises, and Showtime Management—welcomed soulful singer Gregory Porter to South Africa, and in 2024, R&B star Lalah Hathaway took the spotlight.
In January 2025 the series will raise the bar, unveiling a “Soul Odyssey” with three premier acts, each performing in a unique, carefully crafted setting.
More info about the “An Intimate Evening” Concerts happening in January and February 2025
On January 18 at 8 PM., Simphiwe Dana and Jeremiah Abiah will take the stage at Johannesburg’s Montecasino Teatro for a one-night-only tribute to icons Nina Simone and Miriam Makeba.
Then, on February 1 at 5 PM, British legends Soul II Soul will perform in a remarkable open-air venue at Farmhouse 58 in the scenic Kromdraai Valley, near the Cradle of Humankind.
They will wrap up their South African visit with a performance at Cape Town’s iconic Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on February 8 at 7 PM.
Making each concert even more memorable will be kwaito kings TKZee. Band members Tokollo Tshabalala, Kabelo Mabalane and Zwai Bala met at school in the early Nineties and became the biggest-selling kwaito band in South African musical history, developing their sound by incorporating several different genres into their music – kwaito, hip-hop, classical, house and gospel.
The result became known as “Guz” music, which quickly became a huge hit with young South African music fans.
TKZee’s haul of five South African Music Awards in one year for their “Halloween” album (1998) was a record that stood for well over a decade.
The group split in 2002 to pursue solo careers by reunited for the 2009 album “Coming Home”, going on to be one only six musical acts to represent Africa in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony in Johannesburg.
After the sudden passing of Tokollo Tshabalala in 2022, his longtime friends and fellow band members Kabelo Mabalane and Zwai Bala continue with the legacy of TKZee.
Tribute to Nina Simone and Miriam Makeba
Few artists can honor the “High Priestess of Soul” Nina Simone and the beloved “Mama Africa” Miriam Makeba as fittingly as Jeremiah Abiah, a renowned vocal coach and former Berklee College of Music professor, who contributed to the Netflix documentary What Happened, Miss Simone? and released his celebrated album Abiah Sings Nina in 2018.
His powerful performances, from New York’s Apollo Theater to Carnegie Hall, honor Simone’s legacy with grace and reverence.
In her book, A Renegade Called Simphiwe, Pumla Dineo Gcola describes Simphiwe Dana as “the best thing to happen to Afro-Soul music since Miriam Makeba.”
Like Makeba, Dana’s music reflects her Xhosa heritage, embodying an Afrocentric perspective with a global reach. Celebrating two decades since her acclaimed debut album, Zandisile, her appearance at the Teatro will surely resonate with longtime fans and new audiences alike.
Soul II Soul: A Timeless Sound Experience
Much more than a band, Soul II Soul began as a late-1980s “sound system,” blending DJ and audio engineering to create danceable vibes that captivated London.
Their iconic hits “Keep On Movin’” and “Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)” remain timeless classics. In 1990, “Back To Life” won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, adding to the group’s enduring influence.
Under the leadership of Jazzie B—who was awarded an OBE for his contributions to music—Soul II Soul continues to inspire with its fusion of reggae, R&B, and neo-soul.
Their motto, “A happy face, a thumpin’ bass, for a lovin’ race,” captures the spirit they bring to audiences worldwide, promising unforgettable shows in the natural beauty of Kromdraai and Kirstenbosch.
Showtime Management and Liberty on the 2025 Series
“Our ongoing partnership with Liberty allows us to bring top-tier talents like Abiah, Soul II Soul, and Simphiwe Dana to South African audiences through the ‘An Intimate Evening’ series. The 2025 lineup offers music fans a unique journey, celebrating diverse sounds in three personal settings,” shares Tony Feldman of Showtime Management.
Marees Bostander, Head of Brand Strategy and Sponsorships at Liberty, adds, “It’s been an amazing experience bringing together music lovers from all backgrounds for the extraordinary concerts we curate each year.”
“We’re thrilled to reimagine Nina Simone and Miriam Makeba’s music through the exceptional talent of Abiah and Simphiwe Dana. Soul II Soul’s performance at a new venue brings added excitement to this year’s events. We’re proud to be #InItWith South Africans, sharing in this celebration of music.”
Don’t miss the Liberty “An Intimate Evening” concert series this January and February 2025. Tickets are available on showtime.co.za and webtickets.co.za.
Watch this space for updates in the Music News category on SA Music Zone.
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