HELLO-AFRICA are a band with a vision to bring people together through their music. With members from 4 African countries they celebrate diversity and have created a unique sound that is, as Sipho 'Hotstix' Mabuse describes them, "a refreshing reminder of WHO WE ARE - FABULOUSLY AFRICAN!"

Featuring Zimbabwean born singer/songwriter Verity and top musos Tony Paco from Mozambique on drums, Nelson Malela from Congo on keyboards, Aldert Du Toit from SA on guitar & Helder Gonzaga from Mozambique on bass, their pop/rock music "ignites that 'umph', that 'hell ya!', that 'this is awesome!' feeling in people" and has a distinctive African flavour.

This meeting of musicians has resulted in a band, that while diverse in its influences, manages to deliver "pop rock songs with a flavour of Johnny Clegg strum guitar, Suvuka drumming & tamer version of a mix of Jewel & Shakira vocals." (Issue 2, Music Review). HELLO-AFRICA are passionate about delivering shows that celebrate life, love and this rich, beautiful continent


 




SAY HELLO TO THE BAND...

Verity wrote her first song at 20 sitting on Noordhoek beach while happily thinking she was going to be psychologist. 'I didn't choose music - it chose me' she always jokes, but since the choice was made she set off on the path of being a songwriter and singer with gusto. She has lived and performed in Cape Town, Miami & Nashville and got the country talking when she launched her Lucky Packet Project to sell an album that didn't exist!

Verity writes all the lyrics and melodies for Hello-Africa and draws from personal experience and the world around her. She says that her songs meet the band in their infancy and they all help them to grow up into full blooded sing-along anthems!





Tony Paco comes from Mozambique and started drumming in his teens. From a family of seriously talented musicians, Tony took to percussion & drumming with ease. With a Jazz degree from UCT and many years of performing with bands like Freshly Ground & Flat Stanley, Tony is regarded as one of the best drummers in SA.

Tony is also an artist and has had numerous exhibitions in Mozambique. But what Hello-Africa fans love him for is his undeniable brilliance on drums and percussion and the infectuous energy he brings to shows. When Tony takes a solo the whole room gets up and dances!skaj fka aldkj faldkj akja s;dklfj a;dlkfja ;dfklja l;fkj ;alkjdf l;akdjf al;kdj a;dk al;dkfj a;lf  lak dl;akj fl;akdjf ;ajf alsdkjf alkfj ,






Nelson Malela was born in Congo and started playing piano at an early age and was spotted by Brenda Fassie and invited to come to South Africa and play in her band. Shortly after he arrived she passed away, but Nelson stayed on and has played with the best of the best in SA.

Nelson joined Verity, Tony and Helder in 2006 and brought with him a sound that started to define what Hello-Africa would become. Always with a smile on his face and never afraid to let rip with mindblowing solos on double keyboards, Nelson brings infectuous energy to every shows with his Congolese flavoured piano lines & incredible playing,sjdfakljdf aldkfja ldkfj a;sdlkfj a;dklfj a;sdlkjf al;kdfj a;sldkfj al;dkfj . aldskj falkjdfadf;a lakjds f;lakjdf a;dslfkj a
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Helder Gonzaga also hails from Maputo Mozambique and plays the bass like a king.  Helder has played with Tucan Tucan for many years as well as many local and international bands & alongside legends like Jimmy Dludlu & saxophonist Moreira Chonguica.

He has a jazz degree from UCT and along with Tony started playing with Verity in 2004. What was meant to be a one off session has resulted in what Hello-Africa is today - a tight family of musicians doing what they do best together. When he's not adding his mozamibiquan magic to Hello-Africa shows he travels back to play shows in Mozambique.




Al Du Toit is the newest member in the band and is currently finishing a music degree at UCT. He started playing guitar at 13 and performing gigs from 15. His music teacher Duncan Combe played a hugely supportive role in his early years to cultivate his talent. He has played in Dire Straits tribute bands and also for the stage show of Greece.

Scouted by Tony and Helder in 2009, Al joined the band and fitted in effortlessly, bringing with him amazing guitar skills! Al is a proficient jazz and rock guitarist, and playing with Hello-Africa has introduced him to the world of afro-flavoured guitar licks and he just keeps on getting better!


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Photographs courtesy of Neill Le Roux

 

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