9/19/2014 Derek Gripper in The Forge this October

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Music is Back in The ForgeDEREK GRIPPER MUSIC FROM THE STRINGS OF MALI

“Gripper has brilliantly transferred [the kora] repertoire onto a regular six string guitar. He sees [Toumani] Diabaté

as the Segovia, or indeed John Williams, of the kora, championing it as a solo instrument. And Gripper brilliantly

takes it back to the guitar. He’s opening a whole new repertoire of classical guitar music." Evening Standard

The Forge

Sunday 5 October 8pm

Windsor Road, Kalk Bay

No parking on Windsor Road

9/19/2014 Derek Gripper in The Forge this October

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Bring a cushion and own drinks

BOOK HERE

The Forge is open to music again! Derek Gripper re-opens the venue where helaunched many of his early recording projects, as well as recorded his firstcollaboration with tabla master Udai Mazumdar and Madosini's first solo album, bothreleased on Derek's label New Cape Records.

Booking is being handled by City Soiree, a crowd funding platform which connectslocal artists with great venues and great audiences. Audiences pledge to make theevent happen - if enough people pledge the event goes ahead. This event hasalready reached is target of pledges so is now open for general tickets. Book here.

Derek released an album called One Night on Earth late in 2012. It was the first timea classically trained guitarist had tackled the repertoire of the West African harpcalled the kora. Interpreting the compositions of kora players like Toumani Diabaté,Ballaké Sissoko, Sekou Batourou Kouyaté and Amadu Bansang Jobarteh, Derekcreated a new form of guitar music and a new take on one of Africa’s mostenchanting musical traditions. The UK’s top world music publication SonglinesMagazine called One Night on Earth ”a staggering achievement,” selecting therecording as a Top of the World album in March 2013.

The reception of One Night on Earth has led to invites to play in the US, UK, Turkey,Sweden, Norway, Holland, Switzerland, Denmark, France, Ireland, Swaziland,Zimbabwe and of course in Derek’s home of South Africa. When Toumani Diabatéand his son Sidiki fist heard the album at the house of renowned ethnomusicologistLucy Duran they asked ‘Did you see him play this on one guitar with your owneyes?”and immediately invited Derek to perform and record together with them inMali. On the other side of the musical spectrum classical guitar legend John Williamsheard the album and immediately cancelled some performers for his ShakespeareGlobe series on London’s West Bank, booking Derek for two evenings which soldout and received the following review in London’s Evening Standard:

“Gripper has cracked it…his playing has a depthless beauty, which does full justiceto the complexity of Toumani’s compositions. To do so without any hint of the musicbeing dumbed down is a staggering achievement on solo guitar.” [Nigel Williamson,Songlines Magazine]

“More than a labour of love, Gripper has brought a new purity to the dream-likeimprovisatory nature of these compositions. My recording of the year, so far!” [TimPanting, Classical Guitar Magazine]

”The result is astounding, not just for its technical brilliance, but its musicality.Gripper executes these pieces with the precision and attention to detail one mightexpect from a great classical musician…It’s hard to imagine a more impressive and

9/19/2014 Derek Gripper in The Forge this October

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passionate rendering of Malian music on classical guitar.” [Banning Eyre, AfropopWorldwide]

“A true synthesis and a great album.” [Ian Kearey, fRoots]

Watch Derek Perform Jarabi

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