South African pianists Kathleen Tagg and Andre Petersen came of age in the momentous years following the end of Apartheid in South Africa. They met in 1996 at the University of Cape Town, in the heady and optimistic days following the election of Nelson Mandela as first president of the new democratic South Africa. At that moment, people of different races and ethnicities could actually meet and exchange ideas as fellow citizens for the first time, and during these years, the seeds were sown for what would become a fully-fledged collaboration 20 years later: Where Worlds Collide.
With performances of original compositions and works by iconic South African jazz composers, the Tagg-Petersen program optimizes a subtle mastery of the Southern and Pan-African soundscapes located within their world of urban, contemporary classical, jazz and Southern African indigenous music.
Drawing from the rich sonic tapestries of traditional musics from sub-Saharan Africa, along with the nuances of South African jazz and classical music, this duo explodes the concept of what two pianos can sound like... a bass guitar, goema drum, marimba and uhadi- mixing fully composed scores with improvisation in a bold, vital and highly entertaining mix. Performances of original compositions that “invoke the sounds and smells of Africa…” (CUE Magazine) live side by side with works by iconic South African jazz composers such as Abdullah Ibrahim, Bheki Mseleku and Moses Molelekwa.
The duo debuted at the South African National Arts Festival in 2015. After successful national tours across South Africa in 2015, 2016 & 2017, they toured in the United States in Fall 2017. Their album Where Worlds Collide launched on Table Pounding Records in Fall 2017.
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 launchdc 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.
Their first album, “Where Worlds Collide” was launched in South Africa in March 2016. Get it here.
WHERE WORLDS COLLIDE (2017)
Out Now on Table Pounding Records
In this unique two-piano album featuring two of South Africa's leading pianists, original compositions live alongside music by some of the giants of South African jazz. This project is Pan-African in influence, though very much rooted in South Africa.
ITUNES & APPLE MUSIC
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