Sharon Katz

Sharon Katz was born and educated in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. After defying the Apartheid regime to travel and perform across the racial barriers, she earned a Master’s Degree in Music Therapy. She formed The Peace Train in 1992 as South Africa’s first, 500-member, multiracial performance group and toured in support of Nelson Mandela’s Presidential campaign. When international TV coverage resulted in American performance invitations, Sharon Katz & The Peace Train moved its home base to Philadelphia in 1999. Sharon is a skilled African-picking guitarist, composer and singer who has performed with Isicathamiya masters Ladysmith Black Mambazo as well as the divas Miriam Makeba and Dolly Rathebe and Abigail Kubeka. Her debut American CD, Imbizo, was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best World Music. Sting recorded her for his Carnival! CD with Elton John, Madonna and Tina Turner and Pete Seeger performed live and recorded a DVD with her.
Sharon is building a school for impoverished children in South Africa.