SA: Nominees announced for 2023 Backing Vocalists and Session Musicians Awards

The awards, which return after a two-year hiatus, are the brainchild of veteran musician and philanthropist Yvonne Chaka Chaka. It seeks to shine a spotlight on the often-neglected artists who back main acts either as vocalists or instrumentalists. The winners will receive R5 000 ($300) and another R20 000 deposited in an endowment fund for a minimum of five years.

David Mabaso, Kokotile Rakhetla, Kenny Mathaba, Madala Kunene and Suthukazi Arosi will receive Lifetime Achievement awards while Joseph Makwela will receive the Special Award.

“What’s at the core of the BVSM Awards is a celebration of talent that is neglected and unrecognised, they continue to support frontliners on stage or in studio,” Yvonne Chaka Chaka said. “We serve to remind music fans that in the ecosystem of hit-making, there are musicians who contribute so much yet remain in the shadows because they are not frontline acts. Oftentimes, backing vocalists and session musicians have no recourse from frontliners and it’s important that we look after these artists. What we’re talking about here is needletime, and that is why we want to partner with South African Music Performing Rights Association because they are on the side of performers.”

Below is the full list of nominees:

Best Guitarist

• Dan Patlansky
• Joel Klein
• Sunnyboy Mthimunye

Best Bass Guitarist

• Denny Lalouette
• Jimmy Mngwadi
• Lucas Senyatso

Best Piano and Keys

• Mawande Stuurman
• Ezra Erasmus
• Lolo Rollins Mankge

Best Percussionist

• Basi Mahlasela
• Moses Manaka
• Veli Shabangu

Best Drummer

• David Klaasen
• Leeroy Sauls
• Mncedisi Ndamase

Best Brass Section

• Marcus Wyatt
• Ian Smith
• Sydney Mavundla

Best Woodwinds

• Cathy Del Mei
• Khaya Dlamini
• Tim Roberts

Best Female Backing Vocalist (Live/ Studio)

• Meisie ‘Lovey’ Malatji
• Nelisiwe Kunene
• Silindile Ntini

Best Male Backing Vocalist (Live/ Studio)

• Bheki Nene
• Bubele Mgele
• Mduduzi Ntombela

Best Rock/Pop

• Danny De Wet
• Mark Beiling
• Veronique Lalouette

Best Reggae

• Bhe Shandu
• Ntombi Mtshali
• Penuel Phangisa

Best Gospel Sessionist

• Gift Lelimo
• Lulama Lallo
• Toffo Goge

Best Digital Session Musician: Afro Pop, Maskandi and Gospel

• Bruce Sebitlo
• Mzamo Ndlovu
• Obed Mabuza

Best Afrikaans

• Mel Botes
• Melody Bracey
• Ray Dylan

Best Jazz Vocalist

• Kuki Mncube
• Sifiso Khanyile
• Sibusiso Buthelezi

Best Jazz Instrumentalist

• Barry Snyman
• Sydney Mnisi
• Randall Skippers

Best Traditional

• Madoda Ntshingila
• Maqhude Mkhize
• Mbhodobhodo Mdlalose

Rookie of the Year Instrumentalist

• Kagiso Monampane
• Phakathi Sanele
• Tshego AMG

Rookie of the Year Vocalist

• Cheryl Zondi
• Lalamani Kutama-Khumela
• Mashudu Mosoeu

Lifetime Achievement

• David Mabaso
• Kokotile Rakhetla
• Kenny Mathaba
• Madala Kunene
• Suthukazi Arosi

Special Award

• Joseph Makwela