Top Jazz band Skyjack to perform in Belanti Ballroom

By Herbert Dark

Barrydale has secured top international jazz band Skyjack to perform at the Karoo Art Hotel on Thursday 15 December as part of a short national tour. Skyjack features some of the best jazz artists from South Africa and Switzerland, balancing festive stomping beats with intricate melodic arrangements to create a blissful soundscape.

Sponsored by the Dark Arts Curfew Club, with support from Swellendam Municipality and local businesses, Skyjack’s performance will put Barrydale on the international jazz map. It also promotes a Barrydale jazz festival being planned for 2024, to build a Klein Karoo jazz scene, teach young musicians, and stimulate tourism, jobs and social cohesion.

The Skyjack tour also takes in Johannesburg and Cape Town, after which the band hits the studio to
record their third album.

Kyle Shepherd, one of South Africa's leading progressive jazz artists, features on piano. On double bass is Shane Cooper, who doubles as an electronic music producer. Both are Standard Bank young artist of the
year winners.

"Skyjack is thrilled to add Barrydale to our national tour and we look forward to bringing our exciting sounds to new audiences," says Shepherd.

Lining up on drums is new band member Jonno Sweetman, one of SA’s most sensitive percussionists. The brass section comprises Andreas Tschopp on trombone and Marc Stucki on saxophone, Swiss horn players who have reached dizzying creative heights.

All members of Skyjack are acclaimed musicians and band leaders, getting together with playful energy to create a powerhouse of dynamic sound from deep African grooves to heavy-hitting jazz rides.

Barrydale’s tourism community helped make the gig possible, with the hotel hosting the event.

Accommodation is sponsored by the hotel and Doorways BnB, with musicians’ meals by Mez Karoo Kitchen, Karoo Daisy and The Makers Brew.

Find out more at www.skyjackmusic.com and all over the interwebs.

Date: Thursday 15 December
Venue: Balanti Theatre, Karoo Art Hotel
Showtime: 8.30pm
Tickets: R50 on the door