Aletia

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Myspace Comments | Myspace Graphics | Myspace SurveysIt’s always nice to hear something different… and she is Aletia Upstairs. This bewitching femme fatal has a theatre background and an ardent interest in Music from diverse Cultures. She sings in 10 languages. After obtaining a Performer's Diploma in Speech and Drama from the University of Cape Town, she went on an exchange programme to Italy. She performed in Italy and the UK in Musicals, Film and Cabaret, workshopped and directed for the English Theatre of Rome and performed jazz with pianist Romano Mussolini. In South Africa, she performed in Cabaret and gigs with the World Music Band, Soul Fruit and the Latino band, Coraçao. She starred in Jozi Streets and Free Spirit on TV and played Ophelia and Horatio in the Cape Heart Production of Hamlet. She wrote, composed, produced and recorded her solo album POSSIBILITY, which was released in South Africa in 2006. Her rock star brother, François van Coke (FPK and VCK) was the guest artist at the album launches. The music on POSSIBILITY can be described as Folk Jazz with elements of World Music and Cabaret. The album is available online at www.subterania.co.za and for download at www.rhythmrecords.co.za. Aletia's Upstairs record label is known for its cheeky boldness and pure inventiveness in pushing and capturing the eclectic pop and adult contemporary market. Her chanson and Africa inspired songs received interest from Heart FM executives as well as Bush Radio, with regular airplay on Fine Music Radio in the jazz slot. She was billed artist of the month on www.jazzrendezvous.co.za. In 2007 she stunned audiences in Japan and became resident singer at Toronto Piano Bar in Korea, where she studied Korean popular classics. Since her return to the UK in 2008 she has been active in the Live Music scene, performing at venues like PJ’s, Viva Viva, Arts Cellar Club, Fahrenheit, All Souls Clubhouse, Digress City, Caipirinha Jazz Bar, Cicada, Zilouf's and Shackology as well as at events such as The Eastern Light Literary Evening at the Waterloo Gallery with poet Nduka Otiono and Cultural Charity Events. In 2008 she was invited and offered a scholarship to The Cabaret Conference at Yale, USA and also received an invitation to present her work at the International Spoken Word Conference at the University of Udine, Italy. She featured in Obrigado magazine. BPM Magazine writes about her work; ‘She can write… she understands the use of irony.’ From the album POSSIBILITY, Too Sober and African Girl, have been branded the champagne hits. Too Sober has been described as ‘a cautionary Vegas lounge haunt’ and African Girl, ‘a noir-jazz hit.’ This dynamic artist is South Africa’s female version of Michael Bublè. In terms of performance style, she has been compared to Edith Piaf and Marlene Dietrich. Her voice has been likened to that of Sade and Madonna. She continues her studies in Musicology and is preparing a Cabaret based on South African, British and American examples.