Zimbabwean Mae Sithole is also on the bumper National Arts Festival 2017 bill in Grahamstown. She’ll front her band at The Graham Hotel on 29, 30 June and 2 and 3 July.
Mae was born in Zimbabwe, however with diplomatic parents she grew up in various countries and was exposed to different cultures – coming from a musical family, with a father who is a singer and acoustic guitarist. Her brother Jonah Sithole Jnr is the 2006 winner of A-Academy, a televised singing competition in Zimbabwe and best African Idols audition holder in 2008. Samantha (Madison) Sithole, Mae’s sister, also joins her on stage as vocalist and featured artist.
Chiwoniso Maraire
Sithole has performaned with the Children’s Performing Arts Workshop, (CHIPAWO) an initiative started by Robert McClaren to promote African Arts in Zimbabwe amongst youth and children. Her first vocal teacher was the legendary Chiwoniso Maraire.
Mae also performed Frank Sinatra’s New York New York whilst in the US and she played the lead in the ZBC TV series, Chipo and the Bird. She landed the role of Demekech (Dorothy) in the Wizard of Oz, entitled, The Wizard of Oz Comes to Ethiopia. And has performed in a number of musicals throughout Africa.
Prior to recording her first album, First Glance, she worked with award-wining music producer Andrew Baird (Mango Groove, Kabelo, Blackbyrd, Elvis Blue). This included projects with Henry Olonga, Rebekah Matheny (Kenya), Audrey Mbuyazi (South Africa) and Bonnie Deuschle (Zimbabwe). Her sultry vocals have featured on a number of jingles for Econet Zimbabwe, and the Kenya Revenue Authority.
Her multicultural background inspires her songwriting and performances. Her Afro fusion gigs incorporate mbira (thumb piano) and hang in her music
Who: Mae Sithole
Web: themaesitholeband.com
WS
