Debut album for jazz singer

The New Brighton-born singer's album, Kusile, includes a song, Babephi na (Where were they?) which is a tribute to her late father, Sam Xaluva, who introduced her to jazz.

"I recorded this album in 2011 as an individual. Last year, I approached Universal Records who were impressed and decided to sign me immediately. The album has 12 tracks and 10 of the tracks are all original songs that I wrote myself. And then there are two bonus tracks Yakhal'i nkomo and Jerusalem," she said.

"People will enjoy my CD as I have worked with very seasoned jazz artists. It also has a fresh sound and a different approach to what people think of as jazz. There are a lot of different elements and I know it will change people's minds about what they think of jazz."

Xaluva's love for music started when she was just 12. In 2003, she joined the National Youth Choir but it was only in 2009 that she made her solo debut. She has also performed with Sibongile Khumalo in a tribute concert to the late Miriam Makeba.

"In 2011 I got a chance as an opening act for American jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves at Montecasino," she said.

And, when the University of Cape Town Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies student is not performing or attending university, she is back in Port Elizabeth spending time with her family in New Brighton.