PETA STEWART
You may think a seasoned pro like Kyle Shepherd, who has composed and arranged scores for films like Noem My Skollie may be quite casual about performing with the Cape Town Philharmonic, but this composer and pianist is really excited.
He is performing two of his compositions, AB’s Theme (from Noem my Skollie) and Family Love from his 2014 jazz album Dream State, both specially arranged for this concert by Mike Campbell, in the CPO’s Debut Gala, a concert saluting the brilliance that exists in the performing arts in Cape Town. The concert will take place at Artscape on Sunday, February 25, at 6 pm and also features headliners like Idols winner Paxton Fielies and The Voice SA winner Craig Lucas.
Get a feel of Kyle Shepherd
For Kyle, who was awaiting the results of his Masters in Music Degree from Stellenbosch University, for which he received the Newton Scholarship, performing with a full philharmonic orchestra is every professional musician and composers dream.
Kyle composed and orchestrated the score for Noem my Skollie for a string ensemble and electronics, and the recording was conducted by Brandon Phillips, with whom Kyle is happy to collaborate again. At the moment, he is pretty much focused on film music, having written the score for an American film, Conformist, a couple of local documentaries and, most recently, an art film for Lhola Amira.
He is also happy to collaborate with Mike Campbell for the CPO concert. “I really respect and admire what he does, particularly his skill as an arranger for large ensembles.”
Atlantic Film Studios
Kyle feeds on creativity and he finds the milieu in South Africa really exciting. “People ask me if I will go overseas and the answer is no, at least not for now. I have toured for 10 years to nearly 20 countries as a solo jazz artist, in trio format and other groups, so I have seen what the grass is like on the other side many times. I am going to Europe again in March for a concert tour and recording with the SA/Swiss collaborative band Skyjack.”
The album will be an addition to his seven albums either in his jazz or film music career, plus countless others where he is featured.
He has just moved into a new composing studio at Atlantic Film Studios in Cape Town, where he couldn’t be happier in this collaborative and creative hub – “where you are inspired by the next person you met on the staircase.” Kyle is currently in talks to compose the score for a 13 episode series and a feature film later the year.
“In Cape Town and Johannesburg particularly, there is so much originality, so much authenticity, especially in jazz and other creative music.”
He should know. He was the Standard Bank Young Artist of 2014 in jazz, and it is jazz that he really loves although he played the classical violin for 10 years from the age of 5 and only then discovered the piano.
“I love the risks that come in improvisation, the challenges that keep you going. I love the in-the-moment creativity.”
He has also branched out a little, becoming the curator of the concert programme of the brand new Norval Foundation Art Gallery that is opening soon in Steenberg. He will be putting the concert schedule together and who knows, the CPO, or an ensemble from the CPO may be among the first to play there!
Who: Kyle Shepherd – CPO Debut Gala
What: Community brilliance with the CPO, Brandon Phillips conductor; MC Nawaal Howa, Kyle Shepherd, Paxton Fielies, Craig Lucas, Heavenly Quartez, Young Men, Emilio February, Talitha Luiters, Luke de Kock and Classic Men, Wheelchair dancers Anda Mthulu and Chelsea Hendricks, Janelle Visagie and Jarrad Ricketts, Zip Zap Circus, Four CPYO violinists
Where: Artscape Opera House, Cape Town
When: 25 February, 2018 at 6pm
Info, book: www.cpo.org.za/ Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421 7695 / http://bit.ly/DebutgalaFeb25
Cover Picture: Kyle Shepherd by Gregory Franz
WS
