SVM

Sibusiso Victor Masondo was born and raised in Durban, and because of the nurturing influence of a musical family, knew at an early age that he wanted a career in music. His late father, Daniel was a minister and a guitarist, while his two elder brothers played bass guitar and the drums respectively, providing a strong influence on Victor's choice of a career in music.

While studying music at Natal University under Darius Brubeck, son of the legendary pianist Dave Brubeck, Victor, alongside his school and bandmates Zim Ngqawana, and Lulu Gontsana, caught the attention of legendary jazz musicians Max Roach and Clark Terry during one of the University Jazz Band's trips to the US.

After Graduation in 1987, Victor, with bass in hand, took advantage of an invitation to tour the U.S., Europe, and South Africa, with the South African band Friends First.

In 1990, after returning to South Africa from exile, Miriam Makeba made Victor an offer he could not refuse - to produce Mama Africa's first album at home. The recording featured Hugh Masekela, Nina Simone, and Dizzy Gillespie, which led to a tour in 1991 with Dizzy Gillespie and Miriam Makeba.

After the Dizzy Gillespie / Miriam Makeba tour of 1991, Victor was commissioned by the Sun City Group and others to Write, Arrange, and produce a song for AIDS Awareness which featured the biggest gathering of South African musicians like Lucky Dube, Jabu Khanyile, Tsepo Tshola, Cinema, Soul Brothers, Wendy Oldfield, Rebecca Malope and many others.

Between 1993 and 1996 Victor served as Musical Director for the "Shell Road to Fame" and witnessed the launching of the musical careers of artists like Rebecca Malope, Sharon D, Ringo, and many others. It was during this time that Victor became a member of the famed group Stimela with Ray Phiri.

Victor worked extensively across cultures in South Africa recording albums with many Artists like, Anton Goosen, Koos Kombuis, Nico Carstens, Laurika Rauch, who described him as a world-class citizen who slips in and out of every genre easily, Johannes “Bloudruk” Kerkorrel whom he also toured the Afrikaans music market a lot.

Victor's abilities as both a Songwriter and Producer caught the attention of the organizers of a U.S.-based Production Company and Warner Bros. Records in 1995. This led to Victor being invited to produce an album in celebration of the "new" South Africa. The album, 'A Place of Hope', featured Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Ray Phiri, George Duke, Gerald Albright, Sibongile Khumalo, Ian Herman, Nana Coyote, Gail Hamilton, Take 6, Al Jarreau, Sheila E, Chante Moore, Jeffrey Osborne, Tsepo Tshola, the late Wendy Mseleku, Hugh Masekela, Al MacKay, Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten, Roy Wooten (Future Man), and many other musicians from both the USA and South Africa. This project raised funds for the restoration of the famed Regina Mundi Church in Soweto.

In 1996 Victor received the Standard Bank Young Artist award which is given each year for high achievement and recognition for great contribution to the music...