SA: Spier Jazz and Classical Encounters Fest returns in December

The third edition of the event will pay tribute to artists who have passed away in the past year, including legendary soprano Sibongile Khumalo and renowned pianist Andre Petersen.

The concert boasts a stellar line-up featuring top South African jazz and classical artists such as SAMA-winning pianist Bokani Dyer and his trio, which includes drummer Sphelelo Mazibuko and bassist Romy Brauteseth. They will perform a selection of music from Dyer’s Neo Native album and other new works.

“In my own compositions, I have consciously allowed all of the music that I have encountered to flow into my music to create a new idea of ‘world music’ where there is music with no borders,” Dyer said.

“This led to an interest in exploring traditional styles of music from Africa, particularly percussion rhythms. Neo Native is an idea about identity: How one chooses to identify and a question of what a person feels connected to as native. In the human experience beyond geography, where does the feeling of home reside?”

Dyer will be followed by soprano Zandile Mzazi alongside pianist Juan Burgess, as well as violinist Elinor Speirs and US-based South African pianist, composer and producer Kathleen Tagg.

The festival will close with legendary trumpeter Feya Faku and his ‘4tet’ featuring bassist Shane Cooper, drummer Ayanda Sikade and Dyer, who will dedicate their performance to Peterson, who passed away from COVID-19 complications in July.

“Another very challenging year in many respects has passed, and one during which we unfortunately lost many amazing artists,” Jazz & Classical Encounters Festival organiser and Pegs Music Project co-producer Aymeric Péguillan said. “Through their musical heritage, and the legacy they left with us, we can rise again and celebrate them, and through them spread a message of love and joy.”

The event will start at 12.30pm.