MAMAVOX

Based in Cape Town

Definition  
A Cappella (Italian): to sing without instrumental accompaniment  

Background
By using their voices as instruments, A Cappella singers are able to explore the unlimited pallet of sounds possible by the human voice. In short, A Cappella enables "out of the box" music.

Concept
South Africa ’s premier all-female A Cappella quartet, Mamavox focuses the talents and power of four solo voices into ensemble singing of exceptional beauty and impact. Cape Town ’s top singers, Amanda Tiffin , Lisa Bauer and Monique Hellenberg and Mimi Ntenjwa combine their performing expertise to create a truly original entertainment solution. Each a renowned vocalist in her own right, their combined performance is a musical force to be reckoned with.  

Style  
The group performs a mixture of jazz and popular songs, some of which are sung, A Cappella and some accompanied by the rich tones of the double bass. They also perform backed by a jazz trio.  

Repertoire
Offering a musically impeccable performance, Mamavox boasts a diverse range of repertoire. This ensemble tailor-makes their performance to suit the musical appetite of specific audiences. Their repertoire includes glorious versions of Miriam Makeba's classics, a haunting A Capella version of Norah Jones' "Don't Know Why"; numerous jazz tunes and various renditions of popular and contemporary songs.

Past Performances  

Mamavox has been wowing audiences since 2001. They have performed at The Green Dolphin Jazz Impressions season; In the Jazz at the Nassau Series, The Night of 100 Stars 2005 at Artscape, as well as various other Cape Town venues and corporate functions.

Mamavox were featured on the main stage of the The Standard Bank Joy Of Jazz Festival in Grahamstown in 2003. They have given concerts at the Oude Libertas Amphitheatre in Stellenbosch, at Rustenberg High School and more recently, at an exclusive Mamavox showcase at The Labia. On all three occasions they received standing ovations.

Feedback from the media

 Gary van Dyk: Editor Cape Argus Tonight, Oct 23 2002 "Mamavox.... has been setting ears on fire...they were also one of the outstanding performances at this year's Johnnie Walker Jazz Impressions season...

"These four young women are talented singers individually, and when they work in unison the harmony that they create on stage would put any of those so-called reality TV pop stars and pop idols in a state of shock."

Gwenn Gil on The Night Of 100 Starts Gala Eveningl: Sunday Times, Oct 30 2005 : “I loved… an a-capella women’s group called Mamavox”  

Why book Mamavox?

A popular choice for corporate events, Mamavox is one of South Africa ’s most unique corporate entertainment solutions. A glamorous ensemble both visually and musically, this talented ensemble never fail to leave a lasting impression with their audience.  

The Mamavox Voices  

AMANDA TIFFIN : Zimbabwean-born, Amanda studied jazz at the University of Cape Town , graduating with a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance And Jazz Composition. She has made her name in Cape Town as a versatile vocalist, performing any number of styles from jazz to rock. Amanda released her debut album “Who Am I?” earlier this year. She has appeared in various musical productions, including her own show, Piano In My Pocket, to critical acclaim. Apart from appearing regularly as vocalist and pianist on the Cape Town jazz scene, Amanda also runs her own function band “Nightshift”, and is actively involved in writing and arranging for various groups. She leads Mamavox, for which she also writes and arranges.

LISA BAUER: Lisa grew up in Gauteng , and started playing piano at the age of 9, taking up the violin at age 12. She moved to Cape Town in 1998 and recently completed her Bachelor degree in Jazz Performance from the University of Cape Town , majoring in Voice and Drum set. Lisa performs as a soloist with various projects in Cape Town . She is a member of jazz vocal group Track Five, the band Soul’d and performs with the Jonny Cooper Orchestra. She has been a member of Mamavox since 2001.

MONIQUE HELLENBERG: Monique Hellenberg has been singing since she was very young, and recently completed her Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from the University of Cape Town . She has begun to make a name for herself as a versatile vocalist, and currently performs with various bands, including her own jazz trio. She is a member of vocal group Track Five and is a founder member of Mamavox. Monique performs with the Jonny Cooper Orchestra and is a member of the salsa band Maquina Loca.

MIMI NTENJWA: Originally from Johannesburg , Mimi recently completed her Honours Degree in Jazz Performance at the University of Cape Town . Mimi's powerful voice has made her a popular vocalist with the UCT Big Band. She has also performed with the Cape TownPhilharmonic. She was the lead vocalist with the band Tucan Tucan and appears on their debut album. She is comfortable in many genres and styles: "I am inspired by originality and creativity in music". Mimi is the most recent member to join Mamavox.

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