Sharon Katz and The Peace Train
The Charlottesville Jazz Society, WTJU, and Unity of Charlottesville welcome South African band Sharon Katz and The Peace Train
On Tuesday September 17th at 7:00 pm, South African songwriter, vocalist and guitarist Sharon Katz brings her group The Peace Train to Charlottesville for the first time. The concert is sponsored by The Charlottesville Jazz Society, WTJU and Unity of Charlottesville, where the concert will be held. The band plays a mix of jazz, funk and South African rhythms built around songs of peace, love and social justice.
Sharon Katz was born in Port Elizabeth, now known as Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa. As a teenager during the apartheid era, she would sneak out to the “Blacks Only” townships by hiding under blankets in the back seat of her friend’s car. There, she met with the now-famous actors in Athol Fugard’s group, and began her lifelong mission of using music to help break down the country’s artificially-imposed racial barrier
After getting professional training and a Masters degree in Music Therapy in the USA, Sharon returned home to South Africa to use her skills as a guitarist, singer, band leader, composer, producer, and music therapist. As soon as Nelson Mandela was released from prison by the Apartheid government, she went to work trying to help her country heal.
After Mandela’s election, Sharon Katz & The Peace Train became the country’s first musical ambassadors of the new democracy.
Since the original ride of The Peace Train, Sharon has continued spreading a message of peace, social justice, and reconciliation around the world through performances, seminars, workshops, residencies, and cultural collaborations. Highlights include Carnegie Hall’s World Music Series and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and at the Smithsonian Institution and South African Embassy in Washington, DC:
Currently operating in Durban, South Africa, San Diego, California; and Todos Santos, Mexico, Sharon Katz & The Peace Train use proceeds from their appearances and music sales for their humanitarian work the world
Since 2015, efforts have focused on bringing together diverse groups and tackling important social justice issues in the USA and Latin America. Under the banner of “Transcending Barriers,” Sharon Katz & The Peace Train have worked with local partners to develop initiatives between urban and rural communities; across racial, economic and religious divides; to improve understanding of gender, equity and inclusion issues; and to facilitate positive relationships between established communities and new immigrants.
This edition of The Peace Train will feature Sharon Katz - guitar and vocals, Wendy Quick - vocals and dance, Suzette Ortiz - keyboards and vocals, Richard Hill – bass, Eric Roberts – drums, and Jan Jeffries – percussion. The group will also conduct an assembly for Hollymead Elementary School students on the morning of the 17th as part of this residency.
Tickets for this special performance by Sharon Katz and The Peace Train are available online at CJS.Ticketbud.com. General admission seats are $25; $20 for paid supporters of The Charlottesville Jazz Society and for members of Unity of Charlottesville. All tickets will be $30 at the door. Call (434) 249-6191 for more information. Visit cvillejazz.org/join to become a paid supporter.