Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

Posted: 23 Aug 2011 07:28 AM PDT

LONDON: Amy Winehouse had no illegal drugs in her system when she died, and it is still unclear what killed the singer, her family said Tuesday.

The family said in a statement that toxicology tests showed "alcohol was present," but it hasn't yet been determined if it contributed to her death.

The 27-year-old soul diva, who had battled drug and alcohol addiction for years, was found dead in her London home on July 23, and an initial post-mortem failed to determine the cause of death.

A statement released by spokesman Chris Goodman on the family's behalf said "toxicology results returned to the Winehouse family by authorities have confirmed that there were no illegal substances in Amy's system at the time of her death."

It said the family awaited the outcome of an inquest that is due to begin in October.

Winehouse's father, Mitch, has said his daughter had beaten her drug dependency three years before her death, but he admitted she was still struggling to control her drinking after several weeks of abstinence.

Mitch Winehouse told mourners at the singer's July 26 funeral that she had said to him, "'Dad I've had enough of drinking, I can't stand the look on your and the family's faces anymore.'"

The Winehouse family announced plans to establish a charitable foundation in the singer's name to help people struggling with addiction — although Mitch Winehouse has said the plans are on hold because someone else had registered the name Amy Winehouse Foundation.

Jazz legend Wynton Marsalis to perform in S.Africa

Posted: 23 Aug 2011 05:01 AM PDT

JOHANNESBURG (AP): Famed American trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis shared memories of his childhood and played a few tunes Tuesday morning in South Africa as a prelude to headlining Johannesburg's annual jazz festival.

Marsalis talked about his life Tuesday during a question-and-answer session at Johannesburg's Market Theatre. Later this week, he will perform at the city's Joy of Jazz festival.

As a trumpeter, Marsalis has won both jazz and classical Grammy awards. As a composer, he was the first jazz artist to win the Pulitzer Prize, in 1997 for "Blood on the Fields," a three-hour work for singers and jazz orchestra that explores the themes of slavery and the creativity of black Americans.

Marsalis' tributes to black American music has not ignored its African roots. His "Congo Square" evokes a New Orleans neighborhood where African slaves performed ancestral dancing and music, and was written for drumming for jazz orchestra and Ghanaian percussionists and singers.

Sibongile Khumalo, one of South Africa's best-loved singers, welcomed him Tuesday as a "cultural activist" to the Market Theatre. Under white racist rule, multiracial audiences and casts challenged apartheid with original art at the Market.

Marsalis, holding his trumpet lightly between his knees, described growing up in a large family in small Louisiana towns.

"We lived in the South, they grew up in segregation," he said of his parents. "It wasn't a picnic."

His jazz pianist father found work scarce as audiences turned to rhythm and blues. The racial turmoil of the time and the nascent women's movement created new stresses for his family, he said. He said other boys in his neighborhood were fatherless.

"They'd want to come sit in my house to see what it was like to have a dad," said Marsalis, who also treated the small audience gathered on a Tuesday morning to a sampling of his trumpet playing.

He praised his father's integrity and his mother's intelligence, and said both were optimists.

John Kani, an internationally known South African actor and former director of the Market Theatre, said South Africans also were optimists after decades of struggle. Kani, who took part in Tuesday's question-and-answer session, said Marsalis's visit was testament to a growing culture of jazz appreciation in South Africa, which has its own rich musical traditions.

Khumalo asked Marsalis whether his drive to succeed was in part for his father.

"It was definitely for him," said Marsalis, whose brothers include trombonist Delfeayo, saxophonist Branford and drummer Jason.

A beautiful life

Posted: 23 Aug 2011 04:06 AM PDT

Datuk Sheila Majid talks about music, business and her beloved family.

THERE is very little that jazz singer Datuk Sheila Majid hasn't done in the local music scene. The hit singles, the awards and the celebrity life have all been taken in her stride.

Last year saw the celebrations for Sheila's 25th anniversary in the music scene. Her sold-out, three-night engagement at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) in Kuala Lumpur in October attracted the faithful and a new fanbase while the repeat orders for her eight-CD box-set, Sheila Majid: 25 Years, proved that her catalogue is as solid as ever.

With a Facebook page pushing past 75,000 fans, Sheila's online profile is a healthy one while her music legacy has also been carried on by the contemporary likes of Najwa, Noryn Aziz and Atilia.

At her career vantage point, Sheila is now game for new challenges, especially her business concerns. With her entrepreneurial thinking and public profile, you would think she has had a fairly easy ride as a businesswoman.

"Not really, it's not as easy as it sounds. The marketing strategy has to be really good and sound. And then there is the question of how you sustain and maintain the business," said Sheila at an interview in Kuala Lumpur recently.

This pint-sized diva has never bragged about her personal endeavours. Any form of business ventures have always been subtle and low-key.

Sheila, 46, has her own way of making a mark and creating a brand for her businesses – Studio Akarkarya (music/rehearsal space), Jentayu Spa and her latest Jernih skincare line.

"Each business has its own style and I always like a subtle approach," said the singer whose career has spanned over 25 years with a proven track record for best-selling albums and sold-out concerts.

Sheila, who still commands a huge following at private and charity shows, said, her business ventures are the things that keep her busy, apart from her children and singing.

According to her, venturing into business came gradually after much discussion, research and careful planning.

"Seeing many people doing business made me want to take the plunge as well. I thought about it for a long time before going into it. So when these business ventures arrived, it just felt great because it creates opportunities for me, my family and other people," said Sheila who is regarded as one of South-East Asia's finest jazz vocalists.

Studio Akarkarya in Damansara, Selangor is a rehearsal facility with three acoustically designed studios and one dance studio, each fully equipped with the finest professional equipment in a comfortable and cosy atmosphere. Sheila shares this rehearsal studio with her musician husband Acis and two business partners.

For Sheila, even with all the goings-on , she still finds time to unwind with her family.

"I feel so blessed. Despite my tight schedule, I will always put my family first and above everything else. That is something I will not compromise. I am still actively singing at private, charity shows and corporate events, though you don't read much about me these days," said the charming singer, poised and unassuming as always.

Looking chic and classy at this interview, Sheila still maintains her tiny frame in a figure hugging white dress with bright, floral prints paired with red, matching pumps and her thick, jet black hair pulled back in a gorgeous ponytail.

After a gradual diet and workouts, Sheila managed to get her old figure back, that's almost the same weight (41kg) she was when she started in show business in 1985. It is quite a feat for a mother of four.

"It has not been easy getting back into shape. It took me three years because I don't believe in instant gratification. If you set your mind to it, nothing is impossible.

"I try to keep fit not only because of health reasons but because singing is my rice bowl, so I'm expected to look good," said Sheila, who is also the face for several commercials.

Despite being a long suffering Arsenal football fan, the affable and attractive diva admits she is a much contented person these days. She packs a different kind of power now.

It has nothing to do with her vocal range. It's more personal than that, emanating from the fact that she is now a busy mum. The ages of her four children range between seven and 20.

"My kids take up most of my time, which is really wonderful because I get to keep an eye on them. It's all about them now, business and my singing career – which leaves me very little time for anything else."

The loving mother, who clearly dotes on her kids, said she wishes the kids didn't grow up so fast.

"I adore my babies but they've grown so fast. Megat is in boarding school, Khaleeda is in college studying psychology. And that leaves me with only two young ones. I wish I had more," said the singer who popularised Sinaran, Antara Anyir Dan Jakarta, Lagenda, Ku Mohon and several other hits.

This fasting month will see Sheila releasing two albums – MPO Celebrates 25 years Of Sheila Majid – recorded during her last performance at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas and one Raya album. The former is distributed by Sony Music while Sheila's Raya outing – Memori Aidilfitri – is released by Warner Music Malaysia this week.

"The MPO album was supposed to be out earlier but it was postponed. This album is for my fans who missed my performance at the Dewan Filharmonik last year, while the Raya album consists of popular Raya songs done by popular veteran singers like Ahmad Jais, Saloma and the rest," explained Sheila.

Sheila was inspired to do her Raya versions after she noticed the same old Raya songs being played each time during Ramadan.

"It would be nice to hear the same Raya tunes but done in a different way. The funny thing is all the Raya songs have almost the same title which is Selamat Hari Raya and it was quite difficult to list them down initially," said the award-winning singer who cut her debut album, Dimensi Baru in 1985.

The Raya album, has eight Hari Raya cover versions and one new Raya song, Tiada Lagi.

No matter how busy she is, Sheila makes sure her punishing schedule does not keep her away from her fans. Her assistants will update her Facebook account and Sheila also Tweets with her 26,000 followers who are, surprisingly, mostly Indonesians.

"It's so heartwarming to get feedback from my Indonesian fans who want me to have a concert there. It's a nice feeling to be loved so much," said Sheila who made one cameo appearance in the movie, Ali Setan in 1985.

Asked if she follows the latest entertainment gossip, Sheila was initially stuck for words.

"To be honest, I don't update myself on the gossip but I know almost all the new artistes. I think they are talented but at the same time should be prepared mentally for what to expect (in the music scene). They have to be responsible for their actions and work hard."

Unlike most celebrities, Sheila has no qualms about revealing her age.

"Sooner or later people will know my age. I'm just very clear about this sort of thing just like when I tell people of how I really feel about certain things. It's nice to be at this age. I'm getting older and I feel good about it. I think I'm able to express myself better and choose to do what I like best at this age," said Sheila flashing her famous smile and dimples.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Selasa, 23 Ogos 2011

The Star Online: Entertainment: Music

The Star Online: Entertainment: Music

0 ulasan:

Catat Ulasan