Louise du Toit (musician, singer, composer, arranger, lyricist, painter), winner of a national SABC-ATKV songwriting competition in Africa, created this album, ALRIGHT, with Spiros Papaspirou (Horizon) and Edmund Diolulu, forming the group Commitee 3. The digital mastering was done at ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS.
In South Africa she collaborated with gifted artists like Mauritz Lotz, Lulu Gontsana, Glen Mafoko, Louis van Rensburg, Alli Heyns, Richard van der Westhuizen, Lochner de Kock, Denny Lalouette, Surendran Reddy and various other well-known musicians and singers. In Europe and Greece with gifted artists like Efren Lopez, Christos Koulouridis, Nikos Piperis, Andreas Karagianopoulos, Barrice and many well-known musicians and singers.
Influences
Django Reinhardt, Michael Angelo Batio, Cesaria Evora, Miriam Makebe, Steve Vai, Stephan Grapelli, Ross Daly, Marcelo Alvarez, Mark Knopfler, Emma Kirkby, Chopin, Puccini, Albert Lee, Erik Satie, Chet Atkins, The Corrs, Bryan Adams, Steve Winwood, Maria Callas, George Benson, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Holiday, Mauritz Lotz, Jimmy Dludlu, Edith Piaf, Ratau Mike Makhalemele, Bellini, Sade, Tracy Chapman, Sarah Brightman, Franz Lehar, Guns 'n Roses, Michael Bolton and many other incredible artists, whom they never cease to inspire me.
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Louise du Toit, the youngest child of musical, artistic parents, was born and raised in South Africa. All throughout her school years, she studied classical piano and violin, taking part in recitals and concerts with youth orchestras and acting and singing in theatre and musical plays with National Arts Companies, always drawing pictures in between with her father. She toured South Africa and Europe, winning many cultural awards for her contribution to the Arts. At university she studied Acting and Theatre Arts, which included stage and costume design. Continuing her music and vocal lessons, she played lead parts in musicals for the UOFS and PACOFS, sang in operas and concerts for PACOFS and wrote, produced and directed theatre plays, winning more awards. After obtaining her degree, she performed as a freelance actress, singer and musician in South Africa. She collaborated with gifted artists like Mauritz Lotz, Lulu Gontsana, Glen Mafoko, Surendran Reddy, Louis van Rensburg, Lochner de Kock, Richard van der Westhuizen and many other well-known musicians and artists, doing radio and television work, recording her own music with the orchestras of the South African Broadcasting Corporation and also writing and illustrating a music songbook with African themes and lyrics. Winning a national song writing competition in Africa was the key to moving abroad. In Athens she worked as a singer, pianist and violinist, also performing at the Residence of the South African Ambassador in Greece on several occasions. She took part in many radio and television advertisements in Athens while performing nightly in different venues. She formed the group, Committee 3, with Spiros Papaspirou and Edmund Diolulu, co-writing and recording an album, ‘Alright’, which recently had many rave reviews from all over the world. She also produced and recorded an album, ‘Moments’, with her gifted guitarist husband, Christos Koulouridis, in Greece. Since obtaining her degree in Opera in Greece a few years ago, she has been giving vocal lessons to numerous students and professional singers. For seven months of the year, she performs to a cosmopolitan audience as a member of three different musical groups (a duo, a trio and an 8-member band) and occasionally sings with a symphonic orchestra of more than 50 members. Apart from her musical career, she also continues her work as a drawing artist. In May 2007, she had her first art exhibition in Greece, introducing us to the advanced technique of combining colourful drawings, paper-cutting and collage with subjects drawn from nature, landscapes and life in her beloved continent of origin, Africa. She completed a collection of 10 songs about African animals, writing the lyrics in Greek, to accompany some of her paintings at her second exhibition in 2008, which was held at the Municipal Gallery of Corfu in Greece, under the title of ‘The Colours of Africa’. Another collection of 14 piano compositions accompanied 14 of her animal paintings, together with short stories based on her childhood memories from South Africa. This collection of compositions, drawings and stories will be released as a colourful book in the future. Her last exhibition was in Athens in September 2008, at the beautiful Residence of the South African Ambassador, during which she also did a performance of traditional African songs. She continues her concerts representing South Africa in Greece, having been invited to perform again at the National Heritage Day in September 2009 in Athens. Her latest collaboration is with classical composer and guitarist, Nikos Piperis, forming the group Aineshana.
REVIEW JUNE 2009 FOR LOUISE DU TOIT -
FEATURED ARTIST SHOWCASE -
IMRADIO
'One of the most beautiful voices in Europe comes from Athens and belongs to Louise du Toit. Completely original and interesting, Louise composes “smooth rhythms, strong melodies, subtle sounds and meaningful lyrics”. Her songs “Just Love” “Crime” “Inside” won a South African songwriting competition. Louise has recently formed the group AINESHANA with co-composer and classical guitarist, Nikos Piperis. She performs nightly in Athens. Watch for the release of her new CD and music video, and listen for Louise on IMRadio.' MC Rydel. IMRADIO NEWSLETTER JUNE 2009 - IMRADIO'S FEATURED ARTIST SHOWCASE
'Louise Du Toit is not only IMRadio's current Featured Artist, we believe she also has the highest number of IMRadio Fans at 192. Congratulations Louise!' Written by PADDY NOONAN, creator of IMRADIO
AINESHANA is singer Louise du Toit (music, lyrics, vocals, arrangement, piano, keyboards) and guitarist Nikos Piperis (music, acoustic guitar). Their CD single, 'My Heart is a Sea', with two tracks and their remixes, was recently released. Their music is a blend of beautiful melodies, meaningful lyrics, worldly styles and original sounds, supported by smooth, soulful vocals to enchant the listeners! The title track of the single, MY HEART IS A SEA, composed by Louise du Toit, was also released as a music video, filmed by the experienced director Ioannis Vlatakis from Athens-based ARCTOS. The unusual, exquisite sound of the Viola di Roda in the intro and solo parts of the song, was added by the highly gifted musician, Efren Lopez. The second track, COME TO ME, composed by Nikos Piperis, released as a lively club mix too, was created by cool dj Barrice. Watch out for AINESHANA!
Greetings Louise & lovely hearing from you as usual. Great to see y've been busy..a good sign of better things to come...so enjoy the new week & keep warm. All's well here thanks with many new recording being done & more to follow. Love, Doug xxx
Dearest Louise, thank you for your lovely comment on my page! I'm fine ... but I got food poisoning from eating oysters, I also caught a cold snap ... winter is coming in leaps and bounds and I do not like this season. I wish you a beautiful week, my friendly thoughts for you, kisses, Rosy ♥
Have a great week and saw the following quote ☺ "There is a point in life when you get tired of chasing everyone and trying to fix everything, but it's not giving up. It's realizing that you don't need certain people and their crap." ☺ ☺ ☺
HI thnx for the friendship and it’s nice to know you! Think it’s nice to be connected with musicians all over the world. In music we are all alike and speak the same language!!! I think you have very nice music, I enjoyed listening to it…… really sounds GREAT …. !! Greets from “D E E Z E L” (Belgium) and lots of luck in every thing you do!! If you can find the time check out my music too please and tell me what you think, “Love junky” is our first single release! (thnx)
Another day, and another 25 cents, ha ha. I'm pleased to have heard from you, my good friend. I am glad you got your place painted, too. I guess you had been working overtime, eh? lol Well, now you can relax and take it easy, enjoy the wonderful weather you are having while winter starts to set in. I wish I was there to enjoy that with you. I haven't been out of the country for about 20-some years, and I think it's about time I start saving up for a trip somewhere. Maybe it will be where you live, to say hello and see one of your fine concerts, no? We'll see. But until that day comes, just know I'm always thinking about you over here in East Texas. Please keep warm and stay safe, and I'll do the same, hon. Much love and respect, to you and yours, ~String, from The Wolf's Lair
Hi sweet Louise. I'm glad to read you. I'm fine, even though winter is coming and days are becoming shorter and shorter.... A good reason to stay at home and play music. And you, what's going on??? I hope your new album got a good audience. Thank's again. Kiss and kiss to you... Love always.Fred
Greetings from Minneapolis, dear Louise! I know the life of a performing artist can be very intense. So, it's really good you're able to rest and enjoy yourself.. Speaking of enjoyment, I want you to know I really love your music. One day, I hope to come hear you perform! Love, Peace, and Many Blessings - James
Happy to listen you again, Louise!! ;-) I too working so much, but I'm fine and happy!! I still completed my new song for Xmas, so in December I will put that in my profile as a gift for all my friends!! You too, my dear friend, will be download for free my Xmas song from my space!!! Check my profile in December, don't forget it!!! Hugs and kisses to you!! Gianluca
Hello Louise! I am also very busy. 45 concerts at the high schools in Geneva, and many other things. Winter is comming and the top of the mountains are slightly white. Many kisses my dear. Christophe
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