JOHANNESBURG – It’s apt that South Africa’s beloved “first lady of song” celebrates her birthday on Heritage Day on September 24.

As a precursor to both events and in the last Standard Bank Road to Joy of Jazz concert before the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, the legendary Sibongile Khumalo will be performing at the Teatro at Montecasino on September 20 at 19:30.

She will be joined on stage by Sipho Mabuse, Kabomo Vilakazi and Mimi Mthenjwa.

Khumalo’s singing talents range from opera to jazz, choral music and musical theatre, always grounded by traditional and folk music of South Africa. She has been lauded as one of the great singing talents of her time, and has inspired the creation of new music by South African composers, both in the classical art song as well as jazz genres. She was a Standard Bank Young Artist (SBYA) winner for music in 1993.

 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre from September 25 to 27.

The 2014 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz is produced by T-Musicman and brought to audiences by Standard Bank in association with the Department of Arts & Culture; the City of Joburg, Gauteng Province and South African Tourism.