TRIBUTES CONTINUES TO POUR FOR JAZZ ICON GLORIA BOSMAN
By Thulane Madalane
It is with great sadness to announce the passing of 50 years old Mofolo born Jazz Vocalist Gloria Bosman, who died today according to statement which was released by South African Music Rights Organization where Gloria Bosman was a board member before her untimely passing today.
“The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) is saddened by the passing of its Board Member, Ms Gloria Bosman, who passed away on 14 March 2023”, reads the statement.
“As a composer and a performing artist, in the short period that Ms Bosman was a member of the Board, she added a perspective that comprised of a rich blend of insights on member aspirations as well as the direction that our organisation should continue to march towards,” said SAMRO Board Chairperson Nicholas.
Gloria has distinguished herself as the quality jazz female Vocalist when she gave “Too Much Heaven” a cover version originally recorded by the British/Australia group the BEE GEES a face-lift. I remember in December 2006 when we arrived at Maphungubwe Jazz Festival in Polokwane with my friends, I somewhat behaved like a floozy teenager, Gloria was on stage Performing this song, I negotiated my access pass at the security gate quickly because I wanted to see the songstress belting this song live which remains my favorites even today. Gloria’s illustrious career began in the 1990s and she successfully recorded six albums which were a breath of a fresh air to South African Musical Landscape:
Albums
- Tranquillity (1999).
- The Many Faces of Gloria Bosman (2000/1) – Self produced.
- Stop and Think (2002).
- Nature Dances (2003/4).
- Emzini (2006).
- Letters from the Heart vol.1 (2010).
Gloria’s passion and career ignited in the church choir. A production in 1993, at the Market Theatre, earned her an opera scholarship at the Pretoria Technikon. She has toured the world and performed next to historical musicians, like Sibongile Khumalo, Concord Nkabinde, Sipho Mabuse, Moses Molelekwa, Tananas, Vusi Mahlasela, Sipho Gumede, Oliver Mtukudzi and Hugh Masekela. She was welcomed and hosted internationally from London, France, Finland, Amsterdam, Australia, Angola, Nigeria, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana and even a tour in South America in which she was received in Chile, Argentina, Peru and Venezuela.
In 2010 she joined the theatrical production, African Songbook, and was staged at the Arts Cape. In that same year she was also included in the Shanghai Expo in China. 2011 and 2012 saw her in yet more theatre work, including Porgy & Bess and Mandela Trilogy as well as touring the UK and being nominated for the Naledi Awards.
At the Market Theatre and the Joburg Theatre in 2011 and 2013 she performed with Hugh Masekela for “Songs of Migration”.
Awards
Gloria has been awarded many awards for whic include the following:
- STANDARD BANK YOUNG ARTIST 2000.
- MULTIPLE SAMA AWARDS WINNER.
- KORA AND NALEDI AWARDS NOMINEE.
- TUT ALUMNI (Pretoria Technikon).
- Jazz, African, Rock and Gospel Vocalist.
- Producer, Composer, Vocal Coach and Presenter.
From all of us at Timeless News we say Rest In Peace Gloria and we pass our heart felt condolences to the family, her music will always be etched in our minds.
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