" An open-minded mix of traditions, and the bravura technique they also share. The results are reflective and exuberant, by turns, and enormously enjoyable throughout."
- Jon Turney, London Jazz Times
- Jon Turney, London Jazz Times
2 PIANOS AS YOU'VE NEVER HEARD BEFORE!
Drawing from the rich sonic tapestries of classical music, nuances of South African jazz and traditional musics from sub-Saharan Africa, this duo explodes the concept of what 2 pianos can sound like... a bass guitar, goema drum, marimba and uhadi- plus mixing fully composed scores with improvisation in a
bold, vital and highly entertaining mix
“Petersen and Tagg impress with their commanding opening flourishes where
|
The Kathleen Tagg /Andre Petersen Piano Duo brings together two of South Africa’s most celebrated pianists, one eclectic classical and one jazz artist, in a unique collaboration.
Drawing from the rich sonic tapestries of classical music, and the nuances of South African jazz and indigenous musics from southern Africa, this duo explores diverse realms of possibilities within the sound world of the piano, with performances of original compositions and works by iconic South African jazz composers. After a successful run at the National Arts Festival, Vryfees and other sold out shows in 2015, the Duo launched their much anticipated CD in South Africa in 2016. The album launched in early 2017 on Table Pounding Records in the USA. Kathleen’s fifteen years spent living and performing in New York City's contemporary music scene have inspired her to think of the piano in a totally different way, using the inside of the piano to create a unique sound world and creating music and shows that cross boundaries and genres effortlessly. A 2014 SAMA-nominee for best classical/instrumental album, she has performed on four continents with some of the world’s leading musicians, including Grammy-nominated duo partner David Krakauer. Venues include many appearances at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, where she gave her acclaimed solo debut. Her recorded work can be heard on NAXOS, Universal, Gallo Africa, Ossia Records and Table Pounding Records labels.
Andre’s years working with the finest South African and international jazz musicians are combined with his experience on the European and international jazz scene. In addition to performing with his own groups and iconic South African musicians such as Winston Mankunku, Feya Faku, Robbie Jansen and many others, being based in Belgium for a few years, Andre has also worked with a musically diverse group of artists such as Grammy award winning World music group Zap Mama, Jazz musicians Reggie Washington (Roy Hargrove/Branford Marsalis), Dre Pallemaerts (Joe Lovano/Toots Thielemans), Stefon Harris (Wynton Marsalis, Kenny Barron) and many others. |
Kathleen has performed often in venues such as Lincoln Center, Symphony Space and multiple Carnegie Hall recitals, including her 2004 acclaimed solo recital debut as winner of the Artist International auditions. Since then she has appeared frequently at cultural organizations across the USA, and has performed live on WQXR New York and WGBH Boston. Known for her explorations in sound color, whether in virtuosic standard repertoire or her own creations exploding the sound of the piano from the inside out using extended techniques, she crosses boundaries seamlessly. In 2014 she released a recording of the songs of Jake Heggie with American soprano Regina Zona on the NAXOS label, and will release the recording of her new electro-acoustic project, Breath and Hammer, with her duo partner, Grammy-nominated clarinetist David Krakauer in the fall of 2016.
Kathleen completed her studies at the University of Cape Town, Mannes College of Music and the Manhattan School of Music in New York, which awarded her the Helen Cohn Award as the outstanding Doctoral graduate, and where she taught for four years. In South Africa, Kathleen received awards from the Ernst Oppenheimer Memorial Trust and National Arts Council. In New York she garnered awards from the Andrew W Mellon Foundation and the New York Performing Arts Foundation. With her great interest in new music, Kathleen has premiered countless works, many written for her. In 2014 she was appointed to the faculty of Song Fest at Colburn in Los Angeles.
Music from the SAMA-nominated album Soul of Fire with singer Zanne Stapelberg, featuring her work as pianist, arranger, producer and music director was used in Deon Meyer’s film, Die Laaste Tango, and Kathleen’s arrangement and performance were featured on the soundtrack, released on Gallo Africa in 2013. They launched a new Afrikaans show, Spieël Speel, in 2013, featuring all-new original songs with lyrics by leading South African luminaries. Recent performances include her and Sophie Jaff’s Orchestrated Songs at Lincoln Center and Playwrights Horizons in New York, performances and workshops in India and USA with the Sabina Rakcheyeva Ensemble, and the release of the group's debut album in London. She recorded the music of Pulitzer prizewinner Tom Kitt for the Broadway Lullabies Project. Her musical Erika’s Wall, created with Sophie Jaff, received its premiere run in Chicago in 2010 by The Music Theater Company, and she was named a fellow of the Dramatist Guild of America in 2014/15. www.kathleentagg.com
Kathleen completed her studies at the University of Cape Town, Mannes College of Music and the Manhattan School of Music in New York, which awarded her the Helen Cohn Award as the outstanding Doctoral graduate, and where she taught for four years. In South Africa, Kathleen received awards from the Ernst Oppenheimer Memorial Trust and National Arts Council. In New York she garnered awards from the Andrew W Mellon Foundation and the New York Performing Arts Foundation. With her great interest in new music, Kathleen has premiered countless works, many written for her. In 2014 she was appointed to the faculty of Song Fest at Colburn in Los Angeles.
Music from the SAMA-nominated album Soul of Fire with singer Zanne Stapelberg, featuring her work as pianist, arranger, producer and music director was used in Deon Meyer’s film, Die Laaste Tango, and Kathleen’s arrangement and performance were featured on the soundtrack, released on Gallo Africa in 2013. They launched a new Afrikaans show, Spieël Speel, in 2013, featuring all-new original songs with lyrics by leading South African luminaries. Recent performances include her and Sophie Jaff’s Orchestrated Songs at Lincoln Center and Playwrights Horizons in New York, performances and workshops in India and USA with the Sabina Rakcheyeva Ensemble, and the release of the group's debut album in London. She recorded the music of Pulitzer prizewinner Tom Kitt for the Broadway Lullabies Project. Her musical Erika’s Wall, created with Sophie Jaff, received its premiere run in Chicago in 2010 by The Music Theater Company, and she was named a fellow of the Dramatist Guild of America in 2014/15. www.kathleentagg.com
PHOT CREDITS: JONX PILLEMER
|
About Andre Petersen “…a compelling writer and lateral-thinking pianist...contemplative…playing both inside and outside the box, his delicate lines like gentle raindrops...”
ALL ABOUT JAZZ Review, Cape Town International Jazz Festival Andre Petersen is undoubtedly one of South Africa’s most sought after pianists and educators. Andre is recipient of numerous classical music and jazz music awards including first prize in the Old Mutual Jazz Encounters Competition, first prize in the SAMRO Overseas Piano Scholarship Competition, the Oppenheimer Overseas Scholarship, and he is recipient of the Vuya Foundation Scholarship Award. Participating at the prestigious Parisian 2011 Concours de Piano-jazz Martial Solal Competition as the only African pianist to be selected from 68 international pianists, Andre received a Special Mention Award. His recording and performance credits include working with Grammy nominee, US vibraphonist Stefon Harris, Reggie Washington, Dave Liebman, Marcus Strickland, Dave Young, Morten Halle, Jazz Jamaica (UK) featuring Soweto Kinch, Denys Baptiste, members of the Stockholm Jazz Orchestra and the Norwegian Avant Garde band Soyr. Petersen has also worked with some of South Africa's leading musicians, including, Winston Mankunku, Makaya Mtshoko, Feya Faku, Robbie Jansen, Judith Sephuma, Jimmy Dludlu and many others. |
Andre has had numerous celebrated performances at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Standard Bank Grahamstown Festival and the Joy of Jazz Festival, and has performed internationally at the IAJE Conference, New York, with legendary saxophonist and educator Dave Liebman and Dr Mike Rossi; the Oslo International Jazz Festival (Norway) as well as jazz festivals in Italy, France, Holland, Sweden, Switzerland, Mexico and Japan. Andre has performed as guest soloist with the Grammy nominated group Zap Mama in France, Italy, Norway and Belgium. Furthermore, he has performed in multiple concerts with the Morten Halle Group in Norway and Sweden. Appearing with his own jazz quintet at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, featuring award-winning jazz artists such as New York saxophonist Marcus Strickland, South African vocalist Chantal Willie, US bassist Reggie Washington and Belgian drummer Dre Pallemaerts, their performance was received with much critical acclaim on South African magazine programmes Pasella, Hectic - Ninety 9 (SABC 2) and on the Taxi Show with television personality Soli Philander.
While residing in Europe (2010-2011), Andre completed a Masters Degree in Jazz Piano Studies, at the prestigious Lemmens Institute, Belgium, graduating Cum Laude. Before this period, he completed studies in Classical Piano at the University of Cape Town and the University of South Africa. Petersen has facilitated the Training and Development Component (Workshops/Master classes) at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival; conducted lectures and workshops at the Norwegian Jazz Forum Summer Seminar (2004-2006); and master classes at the Oslo Academy of Music (Norway). Furthermore, he held posts as piano lecturer at the University of Cape Town, the University of Stellenbosch and the UWC Performing Arts Centre.
Andre is currently on the faculty of the Wits School of The Arts, University of Witwatersrand, in Johannesburg.
While residing in Europe (2010-2011), Andre completed a Masters Degree in Jazz Piano Studies, at the prestigious Lemmens Institute, Belgium, graduating Cum Laude. Before this period, he completed studies in Classical Piano at the University of Cape Town and the University of South Africa. Petersen has facilitated the Training and Development Component (Workshops/Master classes) at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival; conducted lectures and workshops at the Norwegian Jazz Forum Summer Seminar (2004-2006); and master classes at the Oslo Academy of Music (Norway). Furthermore, he held posts as piano lecturer at the University of Cape Town, the University of Stellenbosch and the UWC Performing Arts Centre.
Andre is currently on the faculty of the Wits School of The Arts, University of Witwatersrand, in Johannesburg.