Highly acclaimed South African Jazz pianist and composer, Kyle Shepherd launches his new Album, ‘South African History !X’ on Thursday, 5 April 2012, 8:30pm at The Baxter Theatre (Concert Hall), Rondebosch, Cape Town.
The concert line-up is formidable, with Shepherd (piano), Buddy Wells (sax), Shane Cooper (double bass) and Jonno Sweetman (drums), who all feature on the new album, as well as Darren English (trumpet/flugel horn) and Ethan Smith (alto sax).
The New Album
In essence, Shepherd’s latest release represents a profoundly fitting soundtrack to the history of his home country, South Africa. "X in mathematics represents the unknown. For my generation of young South Africans, large parts of our history still remain unknown. Many of us are, however, committed to knowing ourselves through knowing our country and the truth around its history. Like all my work, this still remains a sincerely musical statement, with the music also offering a path to self-discovery." Kyle Shepherd
Throughout the 13-track album, tracks such as “Sound Portrait of a Modern African Man”, “Xan Do Do – with piano improvisation” (featuring a sample of the Bushmen of the Kalahari) and the 3-part “Cape Genesis Suite” comprising the pieces: “Xam Premonitions”, “Slave Labour” (featuring the legendary Zim Ngqawana R.I.P) and “Cape Flats Lament”, poignantly and succinctly trace important landmarks in his country’s history, from its ancient beginnings, through periods of colonial and apartheid oppression into the modern era of liberation and globalisation.
While naturally drawing on the rich tapestry of traditional South African music and Jazz, Shepherd’s musical works also point towards the evolvement of his own authentic voice, which, as renowned South African Jazz guru Gwen Ansell aptly put it, “live in the jazz world but are never imprisoned by it“.
The new album will be available for sale on the night of the launch concert or from all good music stores from the beginning of April 2012.
FURTHER BACKGROUND
Both of Shepherd’s previous Albums ‘fineART’ and ‘A Portrait of Home’ attracted South African Music Award nominations and drew recognition worldwide from respected jazz critics and discerning music listeners alike.
Shepherd’s stature as a performer at home and abroad has grown tremendously over the past few years which have led to celebrated performances in Japan, Holland, France, Belgium, The Bird’s Eye Jazz Club (Switzerland), the Århus Jazz Festival (Denmark) as well as The Cape Town International Jazz and Joy of Jazz Festivals in South Africa.
In a move that will see Shepherd’s music being distributed globally, his independent record label, fineART Music has signed a worldwide licensing and distribution deal with Sheer Sound - with exclusivity being granted to Templit Ltd in Germany. A USA and Japanese distributor will be announced shortly.
* BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL *
Cost: R90.00 (R80.00 for Students & Pensioners: proof required)
To book visit www.computicket.com or Call 0861 915 8000
posted: 17 March 2012
The concert line-up is formidable, with Shepherd (piano), Buddy Wells (sax), Shane Cooper (double bass) and Jonno Sweetman (drums), who all feature on the new album, as well as Darren English (trumpet/flugel horn) and Ethan Smith (alto sax).
The New Album
In essence, Shepherd’s latest release represents a profoundly fitting soundtrack to the history of his home country, South Africa. "X in mathematics represents the unknown. For my generation of young South Africans, large parts of our history still remain unknown. Many of us are, however, committed to knowing ourselves through knowing our country and the truth around its history. Like all my work, this still remains a sincerely musical statement, with the music also offering a path to self-discovery." Kyle Shepherd
Throughout the 13-track album, tracks such as “Sound Portrait of a Modern African Man”, “Xan Do Do – with piano improvisation” (featuring a sample of the Bushmen of the Kalahari) and the 3-part “Cape Genesis Suite” comprising the pieces: “Xam Premonitions”, “Slave Labour” (featuring the legendary Zim Ngqawana R.I.P) and “Cape Flats Lament”, poignantly and succinctly trace important landmarks in his country’s history, from its ancient beginnings, through periods of colonial and apartheid oppression into the modern era of liberation and globalisation.
While naturally drawing on the rich tapestry of traditional South African music and Jazz, Shepherd’s musical works also point towards the evolvement of his own authentic voice, which, as renowned South African Jazz guru Gwen Ansell aptly put it, “live in the jazz world but are never imprisoned by it“.
The new album will be available for sale on the night of the launch concert or from all good music stores from the beginning of April 2012.
FURTHER BACKGROUND
Both of Shepherd’s previous Albums ‘fineART’ and ‘A Portrait of Home’ attracted South African Music Award nominations and drew recognition worldwide from respected jazz critics and discerning music listeners alike.
Shepherd’s stature as a performer at home and abroad has grown tremendously over the past few years which have led to celebrated performances in Japan, Holland, France, Belgium, The Bird’s Eye Jazz Club (Switzerland), the Århus Jazz Festival (Denmark) as well as The Cape Town International Jazz and Joy of Jazz Festivals in South Africa.
In a move that will see Shepherd’s music being distributed globally, his independent record label, fineART Music has signed a worldwide licensing and distribution deal with Sheer Sound - with exclusivity being granted to Templit Ltd in Germany. A USA and Japanese distributor will be announced shortly.
* BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL *
Cost: R90.00 (R80.00 for Students & Pensioners: proof required)
To book visit www.computicket.com or Call 0861 915 8000
posted: 17 March 2012
