http://www.kyleshepherd.co.za/
“As a composer and arranger Shepherd is proving to be one of the chief architects of modern Cape jazz.” Andre Manuel, The Cape Times
Kyle Shepherd, born in Cape Town, South Africa on 8 July 1987, is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s most influential and accomplished jazz pianists and composers.
Shepherd has released two critically acclaimed Albums to date with both his Albums ‘fineART’ [2009] and ‘A Portrait of Home’ [2010] earning him SAMA (South African Music Award) nominations; ‘fineART’ for ‘Best Traditional Jazz Album’ and ‘Best Newcomer’ [SAMA 2010] and ‘A Portrait of Home’ for ‘Best Traditional Jazz Album’ [SAMA 2011].
In his review of ‘A Portrait of Home’, international music critic, Marcus O’Dair | The Arts Desk UK, commends the work of the Trio. “A Portrait of Home sees Shepherd, together with Shane Cooper on double bass and drummer Jonno Sweetman, creating music of subtle yet tremendous power. Though the technique of all three is undeniable, this is no antiseptic chops fest: it is music of genuine passion, meditative and stately but always emotionally engaged. It has groove at its very core, with hummable, stripped back melodies on top – and not just in the “head” sections that traditionally top and tail jazz arrangements.”
Shepherd regularly performs in concert as a solo pianist, while also leading his trio with Shane Cooper (Double Bass) and Jonno Sweetman (drums) and his Quartet featuring top South African Tenor Saxophonist Buddy Wells.
Apart from performances in South Africa, Shepherd has also toured to The Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Norway, France, Denmark, Malaysia, Swaziland, Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe, with the most notable concert appearances being at The Bird’s Eye Jazz Club (Switzerland), The Aarhus Jazz Festival (Denmark), The Riverboat Jazz Festival (Denmark), The Cape Town International Jazz Festival (South Africa), The Joy of Jazz Festival (South Africa), The Pan African Space Station (South Africa) and The Genting International Jazz Festival (Malaysia).
During the course of his career, Shepherd has performed as pianist and/or saxophonist, with some of South Africa’s greatest musicians including Zim Ngqawana, Louis Moholo-Moholo, McCoy Mrubata, Hilton Schilder, Errol Dyers, Mark Fransman and the late Robbie Jansen, amongst others.
Shepherd featured in the AWARD WINNING theatre production, ‘AFRIKAAPS’ for which he directed & co-wrote the music and also performed in.
Film documentaries that feature his music are: ‘AFRIKAAPS’ by Dylan Valley, ‘The Uprising of Hangberg’ by Dylan Valley & world-renowned film maker Aryan Kaganof. Shepherd was also commissioned to compose a new work for the music production ‘Die Buitestaanders’ by Mareli Stolp & Magdalene Minnaar.
Shepherd continues to use his ability as a pianist, saxophonist, Xaru player (traditional mouth bow), vocalist and poet towards forging a unique compositional and performance concept that pays homage to all his musical influences and the many great musicians he has worked with, all while continuing to look forward musically. “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 while at the same time actively participating in the global, universal sound” says Shepherd.
What can I say about this young man? I have plenty of respect for him personally, his music and his emmense talent.
I have known Kyle for a number of years, but I've only just met him as young boy who was still in school. I was at UWC and he used to be in the orchestra that used to play for us at the Centre for the Performing Arts.. But it was at the beginning of the Ithuba Arts Festival in 2007 that I really saw what power of a musician he really is. He really captured the audience that was at that hall by his brilliant solo jazz piano and he captured my heart when I saw how much he feels the music that he palys. It's like he's part for every note that he plays. He also plays the violin by the way. FYI.
Let's look at Kyle:
Kyle Shepherd, born in Cape Town, South Africa on 8 July 1987, is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s most influential and accomplished jazz pianists and composers.
Shepherd has released two critically acclaimed Albums to date with both his Albums ‘fineART’ [2009] and ‘A Portrait of Home’ [2010] earning him SAMA (South African Music Award) nominations; ‘fineART’ for ‘Best Traditional Jazz Album’ and ‘Best Newcomer’ [SAMA 2010] and ‘A Portrait of Home’ for ‘Best Traditional Jazz Album’ [SAMA 2011].
In his review of ‘A Portrait of Home’, international music critic, Marcus O’Dair | The Arts Desk UK, commends the work of the Trio. “A Portrait of Home sees Shepherd, together with Shane Cooper on double bass and drummer Jonno Sweetman, creating music of subtle yet tremendous power. Though the technique of all three is undeniable, this is no antiseptic chops fest: it is music of genuine passion, meditative and stately but always emotionally engaged. It has groove at its very core, with hummable, stripped back melodies on top – and not just in the “head” sections that traditionally top and tail jazz arrangements.”
Shepherd regularly performs in concert as a solo pianist, while also leading his trio with Shane Cooper (Double Bass) and Jonno Sweetman (drums) and his Quartet featuring top South African Tenor Saxophonist Buddy Wells.
Apart from performances in South Africa, Shepherd has also toured to The Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Norway, France, Denmark, Malaysia, Swaziland, Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe, with the most notable concert appearances being at The Bird’s Eye Jazz Club (Switzerland), The Aarhus Jazz Festival (Denmark), The Riverboat Jazz Festival (Denmark), The Cape Town International Jazz Festival (South Africa), The Joy of Jazz Festival (South Africa), The Pan African Space Station (South Africa) and The Genting International Jazz Festival (Malaysia).
During the course of his career, Shepherd has performed as pianist and/or saxophonist, with some of South Africa’s greatest musicians including Zim Ngqawana, Louis Moholo-Moholo, McCoy Mrubata, Hilton Schilder, Errol Dyers, Mark Fransman and the late Robbie Jansen, amongst others.
Shepherd featured in the AWARD WINNING theatre production, ‘AFRIKAAPS’ for which he directed & co-wrote the music and also performed in.
Film documentaries that feature his music are: ‘AFRIKAAPS’ by Dylan Valley, ‘The Uprising of Hangberg’ by Dylan Valley & world-renowned film maker Aryan Kaganof. Shepherd was also commissioned to compose a new work for the music production ‘Die Buitestaanders’ by Mareli Stolp & Magdalene Minnaar.
Shepherd continues to use his ability as a pianist, saxophonist, Xaru player (traditional mouth bow), vocalist and poet towards forging a unique compositional and performance concept that pays homage to all his musical influences and the many great musicians he has worked with, all while continuing to look forward musically. “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 while at the same time actively participating in the global, universal sound” says Shepherd.
This is an extract from http://www.kylesheperd.co.za/ you may continue to read it here
