WINDHOEK– TRULY Namibian, and the youngest performer on the Hart Van Windhoek main stage this past week-end, Savannah Collins (19), stood her ground as a solo acoustic act that puts heart and soul into her music.
Having flown in from Cape Town for the two-day, mostly Afrikaans South African magazine, Huisgenoot’s show, Savannah blew organisers and the audience away with her powerful world class performance. “This girl is incredible, and honest music talent like this doesn’t come around every day,” said one of the sound engineers after her show.
Bringing out a mix of her unique originals that included an Afrikaans hit Wie is Jy, Be Free and her latest rock love song I’m gone, Savannah’s rich, smouldering vocals, superb guitar skills and glam rock stage presence captivated. From her heart wrenching rendition of Jimi Hendrix Hey Joe, to the soulful blues classic Summertime, Savannah’s acoustic performance draws you in from the minute she steps on stage.
The self-inspired Windhoek born musician, who worked her way up on the local music scene since she was 16, is currently studying music at the College of Performing Arts (COPA) in Cape Town, where she has been challenged this year on electric guitar and weekly vocal performances.With limited time on home ground, before heading back to her studies, she also made an acoustic appearance on Saturday’s first ever Viper Bike ‘n Rock Rally, where she mixed it with a line-up of SA and local boy bands.
Whilst juggling her own song writing, with gigs and the demands of expanding her knowledge in music industry, Savannah is keeping her eye on the goal. Plans to get into the recording studio, and promote herself in SA and eventually abroad with her unique Savannah style music, she claims it is hard work all the way. Never forgetting her country where she was first inspired to pick her guitar at the age of 14, Savannah’s roots are strongly connected to Namibia. “My name and stage name is Savannah, which means the wide open spaces of Africa – I carry it with me where ever I go – and honestly there is no place like home.”