Wits Theatre to host The Kyle Shepherd Trio album launch – A Dance More Sweetly Played this December
By CityLife Arts Writer
Experience the magic of the renowned jazz ensemble, The Kyle Shepherd Trio as they launch their new album, A Dance More Sweetly Played on at The Wits Theatre, on Sunday 1 December 2024 at 3pm.
Having just performed this at the Baxter Theatre to glowing audiences, this trio, a force in the music world, embody the rich heritage and contemporary evolution of South African jazz. The combination of Kyle Shepherd’s innovative compositions, Shane Cooper’s virtuosic double bass, and Jonno Sweetman’s dynamic drumming, creates a vibrant soundscape that has captivated audiences around the globe. Their performances not only highlight their technical prowess but also convey deep emotional narratives rooted in South African culture.
Over the 16 years as a sought-after ensemble, they have carved a niche in the contemporary jazz scene by fusing traditional South African sounds with modern jazz influences, creating a rich and emotive musical experience. The trio have taken their music on many concert tours around the world, notably including The Montreal Jazz Festival, The Vancouver Jazz Festival, The Birds Eye Jazz Club (Basel, Switzerland), as well as concert and jazz clubs in Japan.
This eagerly anticipated follow-up to their acclaimed album, Dream State, promises an afternoon of brilliant jazz from South Africa’s finest, showcasing the trio’s exceptional talents. A Dance More Sweetly Played, marks Shepherd’s eighth jazz album. This project promises to further explore the themes and sounds that define his artistic vision.
Shepherd is a leading South African pianist and composer, celebrated for his distinctive style that transcends genres. The 37-year-old began playing piano as a teenager, drawing inspiration from the jazz and South African music he heard at Abdullah Ibrahim’s M7 music school where his mother, Michele Shepherd, was a teacher and administrator. He has garnered numerous accolades, including the 2014 Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz and the 2019 UNISA Piano Competition winner. Shepherd has performed in 36 countries, gracing prestigious venues such as The Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall’s Zenkel Theatre and Théâtre de Châtelet in Paris.
Kyle has released seven jazz albums and has composed music for various film and television projects. He was responsible for the music composition of The Baxter’s international hit production, Life & Times of Michael K, adapted and directed by Lara Foot. Notable credits include popular Netflix series like Blood and Water and Unseen, which collectively amassed over 60 million hours of viewership. His score for Noem My Skollie earned him the 2018 South African Humanities and Social Sciences Award, while his work on Barakat and Fiela se Kind received Best Score awards at the Silwerskerm Film Festival. Recently, he collaborated on the acclaimed film Greytown Girl with Oscar-winning director Darrell Roodt and has been involved in significant theatre productions, including the award-winning chamber opera Waiting for the Sibyl by William Kentridge for which Kyle co-composed the score with Nhlanhla Mahlangu.
A Dance More Sweetly Played has one performance only on Sunday 1 December 2024 at 3:00pm at the Wits Theatre, booking is through Webtickets online or at Pick n Pay stores, tickets are R200.