Ringo Madlingozi

The much celebrated Gugulethu-born jazz guitarist, Ringo Madlingozi, has released a string of highly successful albums which have earned him several awards, including Best Male Vocalist at the South African Music Awards as well as Best Male Artist (Southern Africa) and Best Male Vocalist (African Continent) at the Kora awards.

Since winning the Shell Road to Fame contest with his band, Peto, in 1986; Madlingozi has built a prosperous career, collaborating with celebrated artists and groups including UB40, Dillon O’Bryan and HHP.  Although venturing through various genres, including Pop, Reggae, Blues and Jazz, Madlingozi’s sound is firmly rooted in traditional Xhosa rythms and harmonies, each performance delivered with a spellbinding, vital energy which has moved audiences across the globe.  He has appeared at the North Sea (Den Hague, Netherlands), the De Vitoria Gastteiz Airtel (Spain) and the New Orleans Jazz Festivals and enjoyed sold-out concerts in the United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Spain and Germany. 

Madligozi has similarly had phenomenal success as a recording artist.  His debut solo album, Vukani, has sold tens of thousands of copies while his 2006 offering, Love Songs, reached gold status within the first month of its release.  His highly acclaimed Ringo Live (CD and DVD 2003) as well Baleka (2004) have achieved multi-platinum status with his DVD ranking in the top five South African and top ten international charts.

As an active producer, Madlingozi has worked alongside a number of budding artists and musical legends including the late, great Miriam Makeba.  Because of his passion for the community, Madligozi has been highly influencial at a social level, working with centres including Takalani Home for the Disabled in Soweto, Sinethemba Home and Van Rijn Place of Safety in Benoni, Siyazigabisa Home of Hope in Port Elizabeth and the Enkuselweni Place of Safety.  He has been granted ambassadorship for HIV/ AIDS and Anti-Women and Child Abuse Campaign by the Gauteng Department of Social Welfare and together with Nkosi Ngubane, started the Adopt a Child Project in Durban.