Yvonne Mwale

Biography

Born in Lusaka in 1988, Yvonne was raised as the daughter to the Honorable Member of Parliament Mr. Michael Mwale and former songstress Jelita Mwanza in Petauke (Zambia). She started her musical education at the age of 7 years and soon after began to sing on a more professional level performing in different churches and choirs across the country.
Life changed dramatically for the young aspiring singer when both her parents died in the same year and all possessions were taken by members of her family. Left with nothing but her talent, at the age of 12 Yvonne Mwale survived for two years without a home, sleeping on the benches of markets or just on the streets. Despite her misfortunes she managed to survive by getting little jobs here and there, and finally found a family where she got shelter.
Despite her unfortunate past situation it did not stop her interest in music. She joined the Zambian group B-Sharp as a vocalist where she received enjoyed the advanced musical education of Jones Kabanga, an outstanding musician with an international reputation. Soon after she was seen on stages all over Lusaka and became popular for her dynamic performances.
In 2009 then Yvonne Mwale was awarded with “Best Upcoming Female Artist” at the Ngoma Awards, the national music awards in Zambia.
The same year, she formed with friends the Band “Nyali”. The group with Yvonne Mwale as lead singer is participating in the Music CrossRoads InterRegional Festival held in Livingstone, Zambia in August 2009. They won the competition and take the price for the first time ever to Zambia. Later that year the U.S. embassy in Lusaka initiates a project for the Department of State of the United States of America. Yvonne is asked to participate in a song based on one of Barack Obama’s popular speeches.
The following year her band records their first album. They are invited to tour Europe where they perform for several months on the stages of eight countries. On the African continent South Africa and Malawi are other destinations for performances.
In 2011 Yvonne went to Tanzania, where she met her manager and started recording her solo album "Kalamatila". In January 2012 she signed with the Danish label Caravan Records. 2013 she shifted with her family to Germany where she recorded another album in Frankfurt. The album "Ninkale - Let Me Be" was released in July 2014. In September 2016, the latest album "Msimbi Wakuda" was released.

Albums

1. Vilimba (2010) (CD, with Nyali Band)
2. Kalamatila (2012) (CD Caravan Records)
3. Ninkale – Let Me Be (2014) (CD, o-ton music/Soulfood)
4. Msimbi Vakua (2016) (CD, o-ton music/Soulfood)

Music Videos

1. Fight Like A Soldier (2012) (Dir. Matthias Krämer)
2. Sihitaji Marafiki with Fid Q (2012) (Dir. Mike Tee)
3. Familia Yangu (2012) (Dir. Matthias Krämer)
4. 'Can I Call You My Love (2014) (Dir. Matthias Krämer)

Awards and Competitions

1. 2009 - Best upcoming Female Artist, Ngoma Awards, Zambia
2. 2009 - Winner of the Music CrossRoads InterRegional Competition
3. 2012 - 2nd winner of the Jahazi Jazz Competition
4. 2013 - Nominated at the Montreux Jazz Festival Vocal Competition
5. 2013 - Nominated in two categories at the Kilimanjaro Tanzania Music Awards
6. 2013 - Nominated for the “Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government”-Awards 2013 - Finalist at the RFI Prix Decouverté 2013 (Radio France Internationale)
7. 2014 - Nominated for the Master-Jam Festival-Competition for Jazz- Improvisation Skills