Kyle Shepherd releases Debut Album!

Here in Cape Town we have "Eerste Nuwe Jaar", "Tweede Nuwe Jaar" and now get ready for "Derde Nuwe Jaar"

Kyle Shepherd, one of South Africa’s foremost young jazz pianists, will release his much anticipated Debut Album entitled "fineART" at a concert to be held at 7:30pm on Saturday, 03 January 2009, at the SABC Auditorium, Beach road, Sea Point, Cape Town.

"fineART" which features Shepherd on piano, alto sax, vocals & percussion, Buddy Wells (tenor sax), Claude Cozens (drums) and Dylan Tabisher (double bass), consists of 11 tracks, all of which are Shepherd’s compositions with the exception of a Cape Traditional song, “Die maan skyn so helder”.

Explaining the title of the Album, Shepherd says: “My concept is summed up in this poem
of mine:
fineART is the soil in which the seed of creativity manifests itself
this is music from home
why wouldn't it be?
why shouldn't it be?"

Shepherd goes on to say: “My music is a direct representation of my traditions and the lineage of artists that came before me, and I am merely a portrait of their mastery.”

In his Foreword to the Album, internationally acclaimed South African music legend, Zim Ngqawana had the following to say about Shepherd's music:
"Authenticity is another word for originality and this is clearly evident in Kyle’s compositions, arrangements and improvisation. He has managed to find a balance between the intellect and intuition. Kyle is a meditator and a poet."

Whilst only 21 of age, Shepherd’s achievements already include performances with the likes of Errol Dyers, Robbie Jansen, Louis Moholo, Mccoy Mrubata and Zim Ngqawana.

In 2005, Shepherd won the FMR/Pick ‘n Pay Travel Award. As part of the 2008 Cape Town International Jazz Festival Programme, Shepherd’s Quartet performed his original compositions in a virtual “Jazz Conversation” with students from the Juilliard Institute for Jazz Studies in New York.

While the Album does reflect a more modern approach to improvised music, Shepherd’s compositions remain unashamedly rooted in his cultural music traditions by drawing on the unique rhythms, harmonies & melodic devices that are so unique to home, Cape Town, South Africa.

The Album Launch Concert features Shepherd’s fineART Quartet with Buddy Wells (sax), Shane Cooper (double bass) and Claude Cozens (drums).
Concert Details:
Date: 7:30 pm, Saturday, 03 January 2009
Venue: SABC Auditorium, Beach Road, Sea Point, Cape Town
Tickets: R50 at the door or call 072 351 5204 or Email: info@kyleshepherd.co.za

http://www.kyleshepherd.co.za

Posted in: Buddy Wells, Claude Cozens, Dylan Tabisher, fineART, Kyle Shepherd, Shane Cooper