AlanRatcliffe
I'm a little out of touch with the music scene these days. I've given up on radio and TV as a source for anything other than commercial dreck (not that they play much local content anyway, but that's a whole other discussion). Also the one downside to living out in the country is that I don't get to hear and see all the great bands/artists I used to.
As musicians, we all need to be exposed to as much good music as possible and I know there are guys out there that I should know about and be listening to. I also know that there must be world-class players based in SA other than the older crowd that I know (many of whom are based elsewhere now). The thing is, looking at the media, you could be forgiven for thinking that the SA music scene consists of Leon Schuster, Ken Mullens, a few Afrikaans artists and the occasional interchangeable pop pretty or two.
Also, support begins with us - if we as musicians don't support local talent, the general populace has little chance to hear of them. Raise the awareness of the great players we have here, and our own music can only benefit in the long run.
So please can we compile a list here of local players/musos that we admire? Not just the super technical shredders either: anyone who can be inspirational. I'll think about it a bit and post mine later.
NorioDS
My personal favourites include:
16 Stitch
Wickhead
Underbelly
Pestroy
Jo Day
But these are all fairly well-known and mostly metal ;D
cain
Apparently Dan Patlansky is an awesome blues player.
NorioDS
I only realised now that you asked for guitar players, specifically.
Whoops ?
Well these guys play good music and Underbelly plays some reasonably technical stuff but it's all rhythm.
Graeme
Louis Mhlanga always moves me - one of the few S.A. guitarists who doesn't sound like anyone else.
Then there was the master: Johnny Fourie. Every guitarist should have a copy of his last (and only) solo album "Once Upon a Time"
arjunmenon
Wow, this information is a real eye-opener for me. Having moved to SA only 5 months ago, I was under the impression (up until i joined this forum, that is) that the only guitar toting guys in this country were the afrikaans guys (whose ads come up on TV all the time...and it sounds like a hillbilly funeral ;D ) and the guys doing afro jazz...
Thanks for the heads up. Cheers.
Arjun
andrewjbryson
The guitarist from Freshly Ground is pretty inspirational , would love to hear his solo stuff?
Mauritz Lotz' s earlier stuff is pretty sweet
There is also a guy by the name of Chris Geden who played at the "guitarfestival" in joburg a few months ago,
thats rite, there was an actualy guitar festival in Jozi
cain
Mauritz lotz is like THE session playing in this country man! Hes awesome
Satriani
There was a guitar 'festival' in Jozi? I must have been in a permanent coma, cause I never heard a WORD or read a word about it.
cain
Meir, me neither dude ....
andrewjbryson
yea , it wasnt really advertised
it started out as a Drumming Clinic / Drum Festival
then there was an extention and they demanded a separate day for a guitar fest
mauritz lotz
chris geden
and a few others played
i think bothners music mite have been affiliated with the event
i will try find the page and paste the link here
AlanRatcliffe
Some others to check out:
Tony Cox, Steve Numan - two of our premier acoustic guitarists.
Derek Gripper - Classic player. I ran across him as the Viola player for the Gilgamesh Ensemble years ago, and conscripted him for a recording (along with Lara Block - Cello/Tabla), but he's really making a name for himself these days as an avant garde performer.
Guy Buttrey - fingerstylist doing well for himself touring OZ and the UK. He's apparently touring SA in Feb with Will Akkerman (founder of Windham Hill Records).
Of course, our jazz players get a lot of attention: Jimmy Dludlu, Jonathon Butler, Errol Dyers, Alvin Dyers. To be honest, not my area of expertise, but they sure can play.
Sean Mercer - hot, hot, hot, rock guitarist. Signed to Guitar Nine Records if that gives you any idea.
Robin Auld - best known for his more commercial hits, Robin can really blow on the guitar if he sets his mind to it.
Tom Fox - Guitarist for Bright Blue and the Usual, often understated, but some very elegant playing.
Ray Phiri - Best known for his work with Paul Simon and Stimela. I'm not sure if he's based in SA or not at the moment.
Johnny Clegg - Better known for the hits and the dancing, but Johnny plays a mean Zulu guitar.
Of course, Trevor Rabin is one of our success stories, but sadly not based here any more.
I'm sure I can come up with more if I think about it hard enough.
Deaan-Vivier
yeah, STeve Numan and Tony Cox are possible two of the best, in the same league I would also add Greg Georgiades (hope I spelled it correctly). If you dont know these three gentlemens music, MAKE A PLAN to see them.
Then for me on the rock scene I would have to add names like Jonothan Martin, Piet Botha, Emile de Jong (the narrow) . Shaun Collins and Raoul Dippenaar from Cutting Jade also know their stuff.
Blues I would have to say Dan Patlansky and Albert Frost. - I saw them together on stage at Aardklop a few years ago. One of the best shows I saw in my life. Also Vusi Mahlasela - Brilliant musician. Henry Steele.
There are a lot more great guitarist in this country and we'll have to think hard to remember all of them to have their names here.
cain
Albert frost is the man, i would give anything to get some blues lessons from him!
AlanRatcliffe
Synchronicity - my inbox had this when I got up this morning from the Cottage Club (Bill Knight's little acoustic venue in Cape Town):
Coming up next year:
Jan 19: Robin Auld
Feb 09: Guy Buttrey
Feb 23: Tony Cox.
Garth-S
Dan Patlansky is really inspirational, you gotta see him in action. I also have a thing for Jimmy Dludlu, but I don't think he's from SA even though he performs here alot.
Zapruder
Another wonderfully versatile, accomplished and tasteful guitarist is Nibs van der Spuy - one of the very best we've ever produced.
