Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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MBULU, Letta

(b Orlando, South Africa) Singer, composer. Like so many of S.A.'s top musicians, she lived in exile, with her husband Caiphus Semenya (singer, composer, arranger, producer). She performed with African Jazz and Variety, with Hugh Masakela, Semenya and Miriam Makeba (with whom she later worked as the Skylarks). Still in her teens she appeared in London with the hit S.A. musical King Kong; later a three-week NYC engagement '64 confirmed international stardom. In '74 she was named best performer at Onda Nueva World Music Festival in Venezuela. Toured with Harry Belafonte '77-81. Albums incl. Music In The Air and Sacred Drums '77, Letta '78; also Naturally on Fantasy USA, Sound Of A Rainbow mid-'80s; Not Yet Uhuru on Timbuktu CD.