Industry news
Awards launched for SA backing singers and session musos
Launched at the State Theatre in Pretoria on Wednesday, 22 October 2014, the Backing Vocalists and Session Musicians Awards aims to recognise the hard-working musicians who so often operate behind the scenes.
The annual BVSM Awards is an initiative of Yvonne Chaka Chaka through her Princess of Africa Foundation, and has been 10 years in the planning. The inaugural awards will be held in Johannesburg in 2015.
This initiative is particularly poignant for the celebrated songbird, because not only have backing musicians played a pivotal role in shaping her successful career but she also lost her dear friend and long-time backing vocalist Phumzile Ntuli to malaria in 2004.
Flexible and versatile
“These are special artists who bring variety into one’s music and enhance one’s artistry,” Chaka Chaka says. “Without their input, I don’t think I would have made it as a recording and stage artist. I was young and inexperienced when I became a professional musician and they were there to guide me. I owe my success to them. Today I look back and appreciate their guidance,” she says.
Apart from their dulcet tones, backing singers are blessed with a sharp ear for harmony, Chaka Chaka explains, and session musicians are required to be flexible and versatile across musical genres, styles and performance platforms. Through the BVSM Awards, she hopes to provide greater opportunities and recognition for these musicians who form the bedrock of the music industry.
Awards categories
The BVSM Awards will cover a wide range of genres, including jazz, hip-hop, gospel, maskandi, mbaqanga, boeremusiek, gospel and kwaito. They will also recognise the contribution of music veterans from decades past, as well as the country’s most exciting emerging young talents. The following categories are being considered for the awards:
- Best Female Backing Vocalist (studio and live)
- Best Male Backing Vocalist (studio and live)
- Best Session Musicians
- Best Lead Guitarist
- Best Bass Guitarist
- Best Brass Section and Drums
- Lifetime Backing Vocalist (male and female)
- Lifetime Session Musician (male and female)
- Best Backing Vocalists of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s (males and females)
- Rookie of the Year – Backing Vocalist (male and female)
- Rookie of the Year – Session Musician (male and female)
For more information about the inaugural BVSM Awards, go to the Facebook page.
