In support of the Kids of Kurland School Project, the Plett Music Festival at The White House Theatre presents five days of world class music, ranging from choral through jazz, Caribbean rhythms, music from Mali and classic songs from the past.
The organisers proudly present the second Plett Music Festival, a highlight of the Plett calendar. The festival takes place from Wednesday, 4 February to Sunday 8 February 2015. Seasoned performers Mia Swart, vocalist, and Olga Schoeman on the guitar and keyboard, open the programme with the enchanting bistro-style Café Chantant.
Renowned saxophonist Andrew Young, beloved by Plett theatre-goers, presents two performances: a morning of well-loved melodies on Thursday and, on Friday evening, a high-energy performance of the fiery music of the Caribbean.
An exciting newcomer to the Plett Music Festival is the outstanding musician and guitarist, Derek Gripper, who will perform his globally acclaimed adaptations of music from Mali for the guitar on Thursday. This promises to be a breath-taking event.
A second newcomer, the Rhodes University Chamber Choir will, for the first time at the Plett Music Festival, present a performance of choral music on Saturday. Their programme will include African-American spirituals, popular music and, the choir’s speciality, South African traditional songs. The festival ends on Sunday with a great favourite in Plett, jazz master Martin Wolfhaart, this time in concert with the spectacular Anda Masala Jazz Quartet.
From Thursday to Sunday there will be live entertainment in the courtyard of The White House from 19h00. A cash bar will be open and there will be snacks for sale.
Space is limited, and past performances have always attracted full houses. With the superb line-up of artists this year, demand for seats will be great, so early booking is advised. All proceeds go to The Kids of Kurland School Project, www.kidsofkurland.com.
Tickets can be bought at The Old House Shop, Plettenberg Bay, or reserved by calling Ann Fermor on 082 452 8764
Sponsored by the Department of Arts and Culture and supported by Plett Tourism
SHORT CAMEO OF EACH PERFORMER
Mia Swart is originally from Holland, and her natural musical gifts combine with a delightful European charm. She has sung professionally since her teens and is accompanied at the Plett Music Festival by the multi-talented Olga Schoeman from George. Olga is the daughter of well-known pianist, Anna Bender, and studied the harp, piano and guitar. She has a B. Mus. degree and, like Mia, has had a long and successful concert career. Their musicality and choice of songs fit perfectly into the Café Chantant genre.
ANDREW YOUNG
An incredible saxophonist, Andrew Young has performed to wild enthusiasm from audiences at two previous Plett Music Festivals. Born in Liverpool, Andrew started studying the clarinet and saxophone at the age of eight, and is now an internationally renowned recording/performing artist. He has worked with artists such as Dionne Warwick, Shirley Bassey and Jonathan Butler and had the honour of performing for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles at the Royal Festival Hall. Hailed as ‘The Prince of the Saxophone’ in Beijing, Andrew gives the audience an evening of awesome music fired by the energy of one of the most talented sax players on the world scene today.
DEREK GRIPPER
South African-born Derek Gripper was the first classically trained guitarist to adapt and integrate the repertoire of West African music and the guitar. His albums have received accolades such as “a staggering achievement”, “impressive and passionate rendering of Malian music” and “of hypnotic beauty”. His 2012 album One Night on Earth led to invitations to perform in the US, the UK and numerous European countries, as well as Swaziland, Zimbabwe and South Africa. He collaborates on an ongoing basis with ethnomusicologists from various countries and, in the classical tradition, with guitar master John Williams.
RHODES UNIVERSITY CHAMBER CHOIR
Founded in 1953, the RUCC is the oldest university chamber choir in South Africa. It maintains a rich and celebrated tradition of choral excellence. Its extensive repertoire includes sacred music, African-American spirituals, popular music and, its speciality, South African traditional and contemporary music. Choristers are graduate and undergraduate students.
