It’s music’s biggest night and this year hopes are high for a homecoming Grammy Award, with two South Africa musicians in the running for an award. SAMRO wishes to congratulate the indomitable  jazz giant Hugh Masekela and Klein Karoo guitarist Hannes Coetzee for their 2013 Grammy Award nominations and wishes them the best of luck at the ceremony in February 2013.

Masekela’s 2010 album Jabulani has been nominated in the Best World Music Album category, while a rendition of Coetzee’s song’s Mahalla features on the Carolina Chocolate Drops nominated album Leaving Eden (Best Folk Album).

Produced and arranged by Don Laka, Jabulani is Masekela’s second Grammy nomination. A collection of re-interpreted traditional African wedding songs, Jabulani is a tribute to the township weddings of yesteryear and includes the singles Makoti, Sossie and Bambezela. Jabulani also features the talents of bassist Fana Zulu; keyboardists Randal Skippers, Xoli Nkosi and Don Laka; guitarists Cameron Ward and Ntokozo Zungu; drummer Lee-Roy Sauls; and percussionist Godfrey Mgcina.

Hailing from a small town in just out Mossel Bay, Coetzee’s style is as unique as his music.

Using pickup and pinch style with a teaspoon, in his mouth, sliding out the melody, Coetzee was discovered by David Kramer and featured in his recent production Karoo Kitaar Blues. Mahalla first caught the world’s attention when it went viral on YouTube and this is most likely where the traditional folk group Carolina Chocolate Drops discovered it. The Carolina Chocolate Drops picked up the Grammy for best traditional folk music album for their album Genuine Negro Jig in 2010.

 

The 2013 Grammy Award Ceremony will be held February 10, 2013 in the Staples Center in Los Angeles.