Velvet-voiced Laurie gets a SAMA nod

OWN CORRESPONDENT

She is the first Jewish, female musician in the country to receive a SAMA nomination, and this is her second time being nominated.

The nominees for the 22^nd annual SAMA were announced soon after the official launch of Levine’s latest album, “Tigerlily”.

This is Levine’s sixth studio album and is a collaboration with singer songwriter Josie Field. The two musicians have been working together over the last three years.

Their folk duo is a rich blend of Field’s deep, soulful blues tones with Levine’s velvet-honey country inflections.

Levine has the ability to draw on the deep roots of folk music and mix it in with a myriad other influences, including America’s Appalachia region and her native South Africa.

The Johannesburg-based singer has taken her original material to a growing fan base, earning multiple accolades along the way. These include four SAMA nominations and three Standard Bank Ovation Awards at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival.

The UK release of her album Six Winters led to two successful UK tours in 2012 and 2014.

The SAMA award ceremony takes place in Durban on June 4.