Shen FM

One of SA's busiest performers, Shen Winberg has taken his unique and versatile mix of popular world sounds and South African flavours across the world, and has collaborated with artists such as Vusi Mahlasela, Zolani (Freshly Ground) and Dino Moran, and has opened for Prime Circle, Watershed, GoldFish, and Lionel Richie amongst many others.

Having spent most of his childhood in the Limpopo Province with its indigenous sounds and rural rhythms, Shen loves fusing African ethnic and world elements into his sound.  He went on to study Jazz at the University of Cape Town, and started SHEN FM - his group whose musical style reflects the diversity of African, rock and dance, blended with the fine overtones of Jazz and Western traditions.  When the band plays live, they weave each song into another without stopping, flowing from one song to the next, just like a radio station disk jockey would mix music together – hence the name ShenFM.

ShenFM averages about 22 gigs per month. From Dubai to Dublin, Namibia to Stockholm, France back to Dubai, and all over South Africa.

The release of his first album, Rhythm of the Seasons, is a showcase of Shen’s unique lyrics and compositions reflecting his distinct African influence. It places him on the edge of the new generation genre – a blend of style, a fusion of elements – richly drawn together by his virtuosity as a guitarist and composer. 

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Along with the band, Shen has also started The Modern Rockstar Academy, which is an academy that teaches children to make money through their music and brand themselves correctly.

Shen has trained vulnerable teens in the townships of Western Cape such as Khayelitsha and Delft to form bands and productions that go to Sweden every year to perform at the World’s Children’s Prize award ceremony hosted by Her Majesty Queen Sylvia in her castle in Mariefred.

Shen is the South African Cultural Youth Ambassador for the World’s Children’s Prize Foundation, who’s patrons include Nelson Mandela, Graca Michel & Iqbal Surve.