OBITUARY | From Soweto to the world: How jazz maestro Gloria Bosman created music that would last forever – News24

• South Africans are mourning the death of another musician after jazz singer, and composer Gloria Bosman died earlier this week.
• She died at her home, surrounded by family, after battling a short illness on Tuesday, at age 50.
• Her memorial is on Friday, 17 March, at the Soweto Theatre.  

Still coming to terms with the deaths of musicians Costa Titch and AKA, South Africans were dealt another blow with the death of jazz singer and musician Gloria Bosman. Bosman, aged 50, died after battling a short illness at her home, surrounded by family, in the early hours of Tuesday.

In a statement, her family appealed for compassion and space during their time of grief, adding that they welcomed and appreciated the public’s prayers in the difficult days ahead.

READ MORE | Renowned jazz singer Gloria Bosman has died: ‘Our industry has lost a giant’

“We lost the rock of our family; a beloved mother, grandmother and sister, Gloria Bosman, who came to fame for her soulful and soothing voice,” the statement read. “Gloria had devoted her life, not just to her family, but her music; she was loved and adored by many here in South Africa and beyond its borders.”

Her memorial service will be held at the Soweto Theatre on Friday, 17 March, from 15:00. 

Early life and the rise of Gloria Bosman 

Bosman was born and raised in Soweto, Johannesburg. Her love for singing reportedly started in her church choir. In 1993, she was awarded an opera scholarship at Pretoria Technikon after starring in a production at the Market Theatre, her website said.

Tranquility

Six years later, she released her debut album, Tranquility, in 1999. It earned her the award for Best Newcomer and nominations for Best Contemporary Jazz Album and Best Female Artist at the South African Music Awards.

The Many Faces of Gloria Bosman

Bosman then released her second album, The Many Faces of Gloria Bosman, in 2001 while signed to Sheer Sound. According to a News24 report, she produced and composed most of the tunes on the album, and she joined forces with pianist Paul Hammer as well. He wrote and co-produced two songs on the album.

The Many Faces of Gloria Bosman also featured Rob Watson on drums, Valencia Ferlito on keys/piano, Zoli Barcela on guitar, Lucas Senyatso on electric bass, Godfrey Mgcina on percussion and Concord Nkabinde on electric bass.

It earned her nominations for Best South African Artist and The Most Promising Female Artist at the 2001 Kora All Africa Awards and another South African Music Award nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album.

Gloria Bosman’s album catalogue.

Stop and Think

In 2002, Bosman released Stop and Think. Her website said the album received nominations for Best Female Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 2003 South African Music Awards.

Nature Dances

A year later, she released Nature Dances. Bosman received six South African Music Award nominations and the title of Best Female Composer, her website read.

Letters from the Heart vol. 1

Then, in 2006, Bosman released Emzini and Letters from the Heart vol. 1 in 2010.

Throughout her illustrious career, she received more than eleven South African Music Award nominations and won two. She also received two Kora All Africa Award nominations.

READ MORE | South Africa pays tribute to ‘exceptionally inspiring’ Gloria Bosman

In an interview with Paul Mnisi on The Hustlers Corner SA in December, Bosman spoke about what influenced her to sing jazz music.

“I wanted to create music that would last forever, that wouldn’t just be listened to by the youth,” she said.

Bosman’s performance catalogue included multiple local and international live shows. She also collaborated with numerous South African legends, including Hugh Masekela, Sibongile Khumalo, Moses Molelekwa, Tananas and Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse.

“I’m not really a studio singer,” she said in the interview.

South African Music Rights Organisation

One of Bosman’s most recent achievements was being appointed non-executive board member at the South African Music Rights Organisation (Samro). She was appointed to the position at the organisation’s last annual general meeting in December, and the announcement was made on social media in February.

“As a composer and performing artist, in the short period that Ms Bosman was a member of the board, she added a perspective that comprised of a rich blend of insights on member aspirations, as well as the direction that our organisation should continue to march towards,” chairperson Nicholas Maweni, said in a press statement.

“The wisdom, insights and knowledge she gained throughout her very long and illustrious career is what got her to be appointed to the board of Samro. We will dearly miss her presence of mind in our engagements, her humanity, compassion and empathy for her fellow composers.”