South African musos Derek Gripper and Guy Buttery, the musos are set to perform four shows in the Western Cape later this month.
Derek Gripper is a Cape Town-based classical guitarist who specialises in kora music from Mali in West Africa, specifically the music of Toumani Diabaté. Gripper has performed with Toumani Diabaté’s Symmetric Orchestra and guitar legend John Williams all over the world.
“When I play Toumani’s music, I insist on the fact that I am playing a composer’s music. It’s not entirely true, because Toumani didn’t compose the pieces that he plays – well, he did and he didn’t; it depends on your ideas of composition,” Gripper told Classical Guitar Magazine.
WATCH DEREK GRIPPER’S NPR TINY DESK PERFORMANCE HERE
GUY BUTTERY’S MUSICAL JOURNEY
Guy Buttery has been named a “national treasure” and has travelled all over the world inspiring the world with his talents. Buttery’s sound is mostly focused around South African sounds. The KwaZulu-Natal-born musician was inspired by his hometown’s rich cultural history.
His debut album, When I Grow Up, released in 2002, was nominated for Best Instrumental Album at the South African Music Awards (Samas). The 38-year-old was also nominated for the Best Newcomer Award and became the youngest musician to be nominated for a Sama.
WATCH GUY BUTTERY PERFORM ‘THE UPPER REACHES’ HERE
PERFORMING IN THE WESTERN CAPE
Derek Gripper and Guy Buttery are coming together for a short run of shows in April and May. The talented musicians will kick off their performances on 28 April at the Olympia Bakery in Cape Town.
Take a look at more tour dates here
- 29 April: The Slave Church in Cape Town (Tickets are available here)
- 30 April: Hoofstraat Conceptual in Riebeek-Kasteel (Tickets are available here)
- 1 May: 44 Voortrekker Street (Tickets are available here)