Nianell

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Nianell (born September 25, 1971 in Omaruru , South West Africa , today Namibia ), actually Sonia Nel-Thompson , née Sonia Nel is a Namibian musician , singer and composer who currently lives and works in South Africa . She is married to Andrew Thompson and has triplet daughters with him.

Education and career

Nianell was born in Omaruru and grew up there and in Windhoek . After graduating from school, she went to South Africa and studied music at the Pretoria Technikon . Further studies followed at London's Trinity College .

music

She composes her own music, sings in Afrikaans and English and plays the piano and acoustic guitar . Her songs contain elements of folk , pop , R&B , country , classical and Celtic music.

The debut album Who Painted the Moon? (2002) achieved gold status in South Africa . The song Isn't It? from this album also became internationally known and played mainly by radio stations in Canada and the USA. With the album songs Have Faith , Isn't It? , As One , Just for Tonight and Who Painted the Moon? Nianell also produced five top 20 radio hits in South Africa.

Nianell is also a songwriter . Who Painted the Moon? was created by Hayley Westenra in her album Pure gecovert and sold 1.2 million units.

Her second album Angel Tongue (2004) also achieved gold status in her homeland. With this album Nianell won two SA Music Awards in 2005 in the categories of Best Adult Contemporary English Album and Best Female Composer .

As a singer with a range of 3½ octaves , Nianell is also a successful live performer and regularly tours southern Africa  - but also plays abroad, for example at the UK Kasie Festival in the Royal Albert Hall in London in 2004.

Her third album Life's Gift was released in 2006. In 2007, the DVD As One followed with a concert recording in the Emperor's Palace near Johannesburg . In 2008 the album I Know I'm Lucky was released. The album Sand & Water followed in 2010 and the album My Heart in 2012 .

Discography

  • 2002: Who Painted the Moon?
  • 2004: Angel Tongue
  • 2006: Life's Gift
  • 2007: As One (DVD)
  • 2008: I Know I'm Lucky
  • 2010: Sand & Water
  • 2011: 'N dusend drome (with the group Romanz)
  • 2012: My Heart
  • 2014: Just Be

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Nianell - Fiery-Haired and Angel Tongued , biography at Fresh Music
personal data
SURNAME Nianell
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Sonia Nel (real name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Namibian singer and songwriter
DATE OF BIRTH September 25, 1971
PLACE OF BIRTH Omaruru , South West Africa