What was supposed to be a one-off collaboration piqued the interest of a prominent music producer who quickly brought one of the SA’s music icons and a local artist together for the “Next Level” show in Gqeberha.
Singer Vicky Sampson, internationally known for her hit My African Dream, will be teaming up with Bay artist Thuba Myeki for a musical performance that will take its audience on a ride across multiple generations of music in the first week of the new year.
Producer Colin Law teamed up with Gqeberha entertainer Gary Hemmings to put together “Next Level: From the stage to the heart” that will debut on Friday (January 3) at CentreStage@Baywest.
Law said the Bay had always been a breeding ground for musical talent and in his 50-year career he often delved into its ranks for high-level performers.
“I had worked with a very young singer called Thuba Myeki before, but then after some years, I had the privilege of working with him on a large international event in the Drakensberg.
“At this event this man paired with Vicky Sampson, PJ Powers and other stalwarts and he owned the stage and thrilled our audiences.
“I decided there and then to explore pairing Thuba with Vicky, a singer who I have worked with for 34 years.
“So here we are taking these two talents to the next level,” Law said.
He said the combination of their powerful vocals, paired with a diverse songbook including Billy Joel, Elton John, Freddie Mercury and Bruno Mars, was guaranteed to enthral the audience.
Sampson, a musical legend with a career spanning four decades, believes the collaboration with Myeki will push her to achieve the next level.
“Thuba is extraordinarily hardworking and talented but generous as a soul and very kind — my kind of person!
“We collaborated on a few songs together, found our blend harmoniously and then worked together again a few months later.
“I think we have an interesting blend, vocally, as he is as powerful when he is in full flight but his range complements mine with his powerful falsetto as well.
“‘Next Level’ is going to push us both to excel, as the repertoire is a reflection of both of our journeys thus far.
“I am looking forward to sharing our story with the audiences, as we highlight some personal moments, as well as some lighter ones, through the music,” Sampson said.
Coming off a bumper December, packed with performances, Myeki said he was excited to be sharing the stage with Sampson to ring in the new year.
“It truly is an honour for me. I could never have imagined working with someone as iconic as Vicky Sampson.
“We did a show together early in 2024 and we just hit it off musically, and that was where myself, Colin and Vicky started forming the plan to collaborate again.
“‘Next Level’ delves into our careers and what has truly influenced both of us as artists along the way.
“We are from different times, but the music brings us together, and I can’t wait to work with the team at CentreStage again to put on a show,” Myeki said.
• CentreStage is offering 20 tickets for HeraldLIVE readers to experience the explosive performance by simply contacting them on 068-560-8362. Tickets will be distributed on a “first come first served” basis.
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