Gito Baloi

Contact details:
(011) 614 4804
gitobaloi@global.co.za

THE NINETEEN EIGHTIES

Gito Baloi formed the group “PONGOLO”, which produced two albums and travelled through out South Africa, performing in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town.
Gito performed with Mzwaki Mbuli during his resistance concerts, which toured many outlying townships and ghettos. This lead to the recording of 2 albums: “Change is Pain” in 1986 and “Unbroken Spirit” in 1989.
In 1987 Gito performed with Kenyan musician Simba Morri and this also lead to the recording of an album: “Was sa Mata”.
During 1988 Gito Baloi, Steve Newman and Ian Herman formed a collaboration, which they named “TANANAS”. From 1988 until the band dissolved in 1994, they travelled nationally and inter-nationally, performing in Namibia, Swaziland, Mozambique, France, Sweden, Japan, UK, USA, Singapore, Spain, Australia and China. “TANANAS” produced 7 albums: “Tananas”, “Spiral”, “Time”, “Orchestra Mundo”, ‘SEED’, ALIVE IN JOBURG’, and TANANAS THE COLLECTION’. They were the supporting band for Sting during his national tour of South Africa in 1994.

THE NINETEEN NINETIES

Gito was invited to France to play on the albums of 2 renowned African musicians: Zairian Pablo and Askia Modibo from Mali. Back in SA, Gito co-ordinated the formation of 2 bands: “SOMEWHERE ELSE” and “SKABENGA”. Both bands performed extensively around the country.
In 1995 Gito released his first solo album “Ekaya”. The album was greeted with rave reviews and extensive airplay on various South African radio stations. “THE GITO BALOI BAND” travelled to perform at many destinations around Southern Africa, including Gito’s hometown of Maputo.
Gito also continued to contribute to other musicians’ work by playing on the albums of South African Anton Goosen and Ivory Koffi from the Ivory Coast, among others.
During 1996 Gito took his band on a successful tour of France.
Gito also toured Mozambique with the Swiss musician Peter Giger and his project “FAMILY OF PERCUSSION”. In June ‘96 Gito produced the second album of the Durban based band “LANDSCAPE PRAYERS”. He went on to sing as a guest performer for that band on numerous occasions
The Creative Arts Foundation funded a collaboration between Gito and Jason Armstrong to compose 6 works during August and September 1996 and this lead to the two musicians recording their music and distributing “DESERT VOICES” independently. In October ‘96 Gito’s Band performed as the supporting act for Tracy Chapman at her Johannesburg concert.

Gito Baloi recorded his second solo album “Na Ku Randza” in January 1997. Building on his previous explorations of “World Music” sounds, this album includes guest artists Bruce Cassidy, George Lee, Chude Mondlane and Nibs vd Spy. Chude Mondlane performed with the band at the Johannesburg launch of the album and they all travelled to Maputo in June to launch the album there at a very successful concert.
During May and June ‘97 Gito was busy in the recording studios of the SABC where he produced another album of his own compositions. The work returns to more acoustic sounds with guitars and voice featuring prominently. The album ‘Yebo’ has received critical acclaim and enjoys much airplay through out South Africa.
THE GITO BALOI BAND performed at the International Jazz Festival in Grahamstown in July 1997. They were acclaimed in the local and national press reviews of the event. Gito was also invited to perform with Nico Carsten’s project “BEOREQUANGA”.
Gito and the band toured and performed throughout August and September appearing at festivals, concerts and in nightclubs. Amongst their gigs were successful performances at the Pretoria State Theatre
Gito was also invited by the Namibian – French Cultural Centre in Windhoek, Namibia, to perform at an international music festival there. In September 1997 Gito and the band (with guest member Chude Mondlane) formed part of the “Arts Alive” International Music Festival in Johannesburg were he shared the stage with Tania Maria.
1998 saw the establishment of yet another musical project for Gito Baloi. This time he collaborated with fellow musicians Dan Chobole, Ray Phiri and Neil Solomon to make AFRICAN GYPSIES. During 1998 the group, expanded with the addition of 4 additional musicians, traveled to Spain. In South Africa they appeared at the WOMAD festival in Benoni. In the July of 1998 Gito Baloi was invited to collaborate and perform with Herbie Mann. They performed at the Grahamstown Festival in that year.
Gito was invited to participate in a cultural exchange designed and funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers and called Shuttle ’99. During October and November ’98 Gito Baloi, Ray Phiri and Concorde Nkibinde representing South Africa, joined Stian Carstensen, Bendik Hofseth and Ricard Nettermalm, from the Nordic countries to form SHUTTLE BAND.
Gito continued to record music in his own studio. The work reflects Gito’s interest in Afro Smooth Jazz.
At the beginning of 1999 the African Gypsies performed for WOMAD in Australia. This year also saw the re-establishment of ‘TANANAS’. The 3 founder members spent time together composing new work, which was eventually recorded during May. ‘TANANAS’ new album ”Seed” was released by Sony.
SHUTTLE BAND reunited for the second part of the Shuttle ’99 project, and toured South Africa during October 1999. As well as performing their collaborative compositions, the band participated in numerous workshops with young South African music students.
November/December 1999 saw Gito collaborating with friend and renown Cameroonian master drummer Brice Wassy. Their work formed part of the Living Treasures Festival in Kwazulu-Natal and has culminated in the recording of their collaborative efforts.

2000 AND ONWARD

In January 2000 Gito Baloi and Brice Wassy teaming up with Steve Newman (of TANANAS) and performing at the Jazz-a-thon annual festival in Cape Town, as well as doing numerous club gigs in that city. Later in 2000 Tananas performed in Reading, UK, Seattle, USA, Grande Canarias, Spain and in Singapore. Gito also performed as an individual in Germany and Poland.
2001 has seen Gito travel to Spain and Australia to perform once more. He also performed at WOMAD in South Africa with a new project called MONDETTA. Made up of Gito on bass and vocals, Steve Newman playing guitar, South African vocalist and djembe player Wendy Oldfield, Israeli percussionist Elad Neeman and Korean/Canadian violinist Julia Kim, the music is an infusion of diverse styles and cultures. MONDETTA released their first album in 2001.
In October 2001 Gito has released his 3rd solo album with Sheer Sound: HERBS AND ROOTS.
During the Johannesburg World Summit for Sustainable Development 2002, Gito contributed to the mood of focused attention upon the developing world’s assets by performing at a number of events. Included in these, he performed for Green Peace along with Baba Maal. Other gigs during 2002 have included performing for the Thai Royal Family and numerous gigs at the National Botanical Gardens of South Africa. Most of the year, however has been devoted to the production of various recording projects. The foremost of these being his own solo album due for release in the next month or so.
Gito Baloi continues to perform on the local Johannesburg club circuit and national and international music festival circuits, always introducing his supporters to the sounds of his newest work with his recognized style of polished and tight band leadership.

GITO BALOI
42 ALBERMARLE STREET
KENSINGTON
JOHANNESBURG
2094

email: gitobaloi@global.co.za ; ehibbert@global.co.za
tel: 27 11 614 4804

 

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