Singing comes from within

KLOOFENDAL – With more than seven years’ professional singing experience, Kloofendal resident Tracey-Lee Oliver is one of several vocalists performing with the Johannesburg Big Band, a collection of the finest jazz and session musicians in South Africa.They will be performing Swingin’ Christmas carols at Gold Reef City’s Lyric Theatre.

Oliver, who is originally from a small town near Cape Town called Grabouw, came to Johannesburg in 2005 to pursue her singing career. Like most other successful artists, she began singing at the tender age of three. She said she is grateful and fortunate she was able to identify her talent and passion at a young age, unlike most who identify their strengths and passions after leaving school. “With me it was different because every time I sang, I knew that this was what I wanted to do. Singing comes from within; you can’t teach someone to sing.”

Oliver looks up to Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Lira, and has been nominated twice for her performance as Deena Jones in Dream Girls (SA). She performed in Motown and Knights of Music at Gold Reef City and featured in local film Blitz Patrollie, alongside David Kau and Joey Rasdien.

She recently released her first single Please Say, and in the short terms she intends on releasing more singles, and eventually a full album. T

Swingin’ Christmas with the Johannesburg Big Band performs at the Lyric Theatre on Saturday 30 November.

Details: The Lyric Theatre 011 248 5000, www.computicket.com