Category Changes for Sharon Katz & The Peace Train

Best Folk Album - "For You"

Best Global Music Performance: "Sister of the Soil" feat. Afrika Mamas

Best American Roots Performance: "What Can We Do"

co-produced with Sibongiseni Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo

feat. Daria Abreu Feraud (Cuban) & Thee Legacy (Zulu)

Social Change Song of the Year: "Think It Over"

Click the Arrow Below to Watch the Music Video of "What Can We Do / Sizokwenzenjani"

(now changed to Best American Roots Performance)

What Can We Do / Sizokwenzenjani

feat. Thee Legacy

Recorded in South Africa, Mexico and the USA, including an appearance by South African choir, Thee Legacy, produced by Sibongiseni Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo fame.

You’ll do a double take when you hear the vocals and think LBM’s lead singer, the late Joseph Shabalala, has come back to add his voice to “What Can We Do/ Sizokwenzenjani.”

Sharon and Joseph started working together in South Africa in 1992 - and Ladysmith Black Mambazo traveled aboard Sharon’s original journey of The Peace Train in 1993 when Sibongiseni was still a youth - so it truly is a legacy track.

Produced by Sibongiseni Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Sharon Katz

Sharon Katz, guitars and vocals; Thee Legacy, Zulu vocals; Daria Abreu Feraud, Spanish vocals; Qhubekhani Mthethwa, bass; Charles Boykie Mnomiya, drums; Suzzette Ortiz, keyboards

Engineered by Sibusiso Derick Nkosi, United Rhythms Studio, Durban, South Africa; Sharon Katz, Grand Noise Studios, Tijuana, Mexico; and Niklas Fairclough, Northwind Recording, Kloof, South Africa



Mixed and Mastered by Glenn Barratt, Morningstar Studios, Norriton, PA, USA

Sister of the Soil / Siswami

feat. Afrika Mamas

Those familiar with previous albums may need a tissue when listening to “Sister of the Soul/Siswami,” a tribute to Nonhlanhla Wanda who co-founded The Peace Train with Sharon in South Africa in 1992.

They traversed their country to break through Apartheid's barriers and promote Nelson Mandela's vision of a nonracial democracy,

and then took their music and message worldwide for 30 years.

Nonhlanhla tragically passed away this year. The Zulu choir from her hometown of Durban, Afrika Mamas, adds its haunting harmonies to summon the ancestors and honor this beloved Sister. 

Sharon Katz, guitar and vocals; Afrika Mamas, Zulu vocals; Wendy Quick, vocals; Richard Hill, Jr., bass; Suzzette Ortiz, keyboards; Mark Beecher, drums; Jan Jeffries, percussion

Engineered by Sihle Mlungisi Khwela, United Rhythms Studio, Durban, South Africa; Sharon Katz, Grand Noise Studios, San Diego, CA, USA; and Covey Carpenter, Mad Dragon Studios, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Mixed and Mastered by Glenn Barratt, Morningstar Studios, Norriton, PA, USA

Think It Over

It may sound like a pop dance track, but the intention is to make it popular to support marginalized groups anywhere in the world.

"It is a question of dignity, and our common humanity...Freedom is the same desire for you and me."

Sparked by a situation involving the Trans community, it also addresses equity, and inclusion issues reflected in The Peace Train's work with diverse groups worldwide.

Sharon Katz, guitars and vocals; Qhubekhani Mthethwa, bass; Charles Boykie Mnomiya, drums; Suzzette Ortiz, keyboards

Engineered by Niklas Fairclough, Northwind Recording, Kloof, South Africa; and Sharon Katz, Grand Noise Studios, San Diego, CA, USA

Mixed and Mastered by Glenn Barratt, Morningstar Studios, Norriton, PA, USA

Baja California

The bouncy rhythms of “Baja California” will make you feel like you’re swaying in sync with the Pacific Ocean and falling in love while traveling down the Baja peninsula of Mexico. 

Sharon Katz, guitars & vocals; Qhubekhani Mthethwa, bass; Charles Boykie Mnomiya, drums; Niklas Fairclough, keyboards and additional guitars

Engineered by Niklas Fairclough, Northwind Recording, Kloof, South Africa and Sharon Katz, Grand Noise Studios, San Diego, CA, USA

Mixed by Niklas Fairclough, Northwind Recording, Kloof, South Africa

Mastered by Glenn Barratt, Morningstar Studios, Norriton, PA, USA

La Tristeza / The Sadness

Drawing on Sharon’s music therapy work with youth rescued from trafficking, “La Tristeza” speaks to the deep traumas these young people experience, but also champions the resiliency of those subjected to such atrocities. 

Sharon Katz, guitars, vocals and keyboards; Qhubekhani Mthethwa, bass; Charles Boykie Mnomiya, drums; John Conahan, Hammond B3 and Fender Rhodes

Engineered by Niklas Fairclough, Northwind Recording, Kloof, South Africa; Sharon Katz, Grand Noise Studios, Todos Santos, Mexico; and Glenn Barratt, Morningstar Studios, Norriton, PA, USA

Mixed and Mastered by Glenn Barratt, Morningstar Studios, Norriton, PA, USA  

Hamba Joba / Moea Thulamele Hae

This medley of traditional songs in the Zulu and Sotho languages will have you on your feet dancing in true South African style. It's about longing for home, and music has always helped South Africans keep hope alive.

Sharon Katz, guitar and vocals; Richard Hill, Jr., bass; Mark Beecher, drums; Jan Jeffries, percussion; John Conahan, Hammond organ

Engineered by Covey Carpenter, Mad Dragon Studios, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sharon Katz, Grand Noise Studios, San Diego, CA, USA; and Glenn Barratt, Morningstar Studios, Norriton, PA, USA

Mixed and Mastered by Glenn Barratt, Morningstar Studios, Norriton, PA, USA