Based: Johannesburg
2 x SAMA Award nominee Tima Reece – is a highly talented South African singer and performer, whose skill and accomplishment in the performing arts industry is already widely recognised both locally and internationally. Attractive, bright and witty, Tima’s musical flair and passion for her craft bode extremely well for the future, and for her prospects in the world of international pop music, and for her other interest – acting. Her successful participation in many high profile competitions and TV shows confirm her high profile in the South African performing arts fraternity.
Tima has been passionately engrossed in singing and drama since the age of nine. She has entered and been successful in many talent search competitions, and has always exceeding expectations. Tima attributes her natural radiance and confidence to her drama education at the National School of the Arts, which has been the springboard to the remarkable success she has achieved in her short career. Signing her first record deal at the tender age of 16, Tima released her #1 Chart-Topping single “Crazy ‘Bout You”, earning her a SAMA Award nomination for Best Dance Single in 2001.
Tima’s talent was recognised very early in her career, when she was introduced to and snapped up by the New York-based recording company Strictly Rhythm in 2002. She was flown to New York and immediately began recording her first International album. Strictly Rhythm were thrilled to have the opportunity to launch Tima’s career, and her success since then has done justice to the confidence they placed in her. During her recording period in New York, Tima spent time writing with many influential names in the industry, such as Calvin Gaines, Mark Wilson, Mike Mason, and Marc Dorsey – people who have written and produced albums for stars such as Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. Shortly after Tima’s return to South Africa from the United States, her album was released, with its well-deserved success earning her a SAMA Award nomination for “Best R&B Album” in 2004.
Tima teamed up with ex-101 pop star Kurt Herman to produce they their own show “Versus”, which featured hit songs by Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and many other International names. The production toured Cape Town to acclaim in December 2003 and January 2004. Later In 2004, Tima and Kurt performed at Caesars Gauteng in the show “Ovation,” which showcased their singing and dancing skills in an up-tempo musical production, featuring Pop \ R&B and Hip-Hop. Also in 2004, and continuing at Caesars Gauteng, Tima performed in the hit Cabaret show “Broadway”. This show encompassed many Broadway hit musicals, and included songs from “Chicago”, “Evita”, “Mamma Mia”, “The Lion King”, and many more.
In 2008, Tima performed in Sun City as the lead female role in the successful rock musical production “Let There Be Rock”. Her burgeoning career accelerated through 2008 and 2009, with Tima headlined as the lead female in the highly successful 10th Anniversary Celebration Show “Jubilee” at Emperor’s Palace. From late 2009 to early 2010, Tima performed in the rock-themed “Rock 2 The Beat” show at Carnival City. A second run of the show – renamed “Adrenaline”- ran for four months in 2010. Also in 2010 Tima, performed at Carnival City in the movies-themed show “The Reel Thing”. Since 2007, Tima performs as a backing vocalist in the run of the well-known South African Idols production.
Tima has been a key member of BluBerry Entertainment, an production company owned by her and her husband Kurt. Together, they have produced shows such as the very successful “Fiesta Fever”; “Chix Rock”; “What Happens in Vegas”; and “Electric Circus”. each of these boasting full houses and extended runs. She’s performed for many giant corporate companies such as “Bidvest”; “Altron”; “Vodacom”; “Tupperware” and “Avroy Shlain”. She has since become a vocal coach on the Internationally successful TV show Idols SA, and has been a resident Backing Vocalist and Vocal Coach since 2007. In 2015, Tima was appointed Vocal Producer and Vocal Coach on the competitive TV reality show The Voice SA. In August 2015, she featured as a guest artist and backing vocalist in “Always and Forever, A Tribute to Luther Vandross”. August 2016, she headlined the highly successful tribute show, Supreme Divas.
On Wed the 14th of September, Tima announced on Social Media that she will be releasing her follow-up album, “9” on the 2nd of December 2016. The album “9′ debuted at #10 on the iTunes Album Charts and #4 on the iTunes Pop Charts. The single “9” peaked at #9 on the 5FM South African Top 30 Chart, and “Gone” is currently climbing the Heart FM South African Charts in the Western Cape.
Tima hopes to travel internationally and to continue to create music with an international scope and reach. Signing with the International music publishing house EMI Music Publishing, as a singer/songwriter in 2008, is a strong hint of what lies ahead. Tima would love to release and showcase her albums around the globe, and to enjoy the fulfilment of pursuing her lifelong passion – music. She would also love to delve into her other passion and first love… acting.