PLAYING WITH FIRE ENSEMBLE

Based in Cape Town

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PLAYING WITH FIRE offers a Mediterranean/Gypsy ensemble and a Jazz ensemble, from duo to quartet.

Mediterranean/Gypsy Ensemble : Clarinet/Sax & Accordion with Violin and Double Bass
Jazz Ensemble : Clarinet/Sax & Guitar with Double Bass

The ensembles stroll and play without music. They are well suited to playing outdoors on lawns, around guests having drinks, or around guests seated at tables. They can play with amplification.

The Mediterranean ensemble offers a varied programme of sunny Mediterranean and South African music (French Cafe, Italian Neapolitans, Viennese Waltzes, Rumanian Gypsy, Klezmer etc). The Jazz Ensemble offers a mix of American, Latin and South African jazz standards.

Contributing musicians:
Matthew Reid (Clarinet/saxophone), Keith Tabisher (Guitar), Andre van Vuuren & Pieter van Zyl (Accordion), Kerryn Torrance & Jacek Domagala (Violin), Dave Ridgway & Wesley Rustin (Double Bass)

Matthew Reid (Sax/Clarinet) has thirty years experience of playing the clarinet. Apart from playing music at functions, he is a recitalist of serious music, much of which is often heard on Fine Music Radio. He has recorded a concerto with orchestra by Peter Klatzow on CD, and appeared as a soloist with several of the orchestras in the country. He was winner of the SASOL Music Prize in 1986. He also runs a Klezmer band and Balkan Band.

Keith Tabisher (Guitar) Music is in his blood and Keith knows both how to support and how to take the stage. He is freed to make use of his awesome improvisatory skills in the presence of a double bass. With a B.Mus from UCT, he has been burning solos on his guitar for over thirty years. His versatility on it enables him to entertain audiences with divergent tastes. He currently performs with musicians from different backgrounds, covering various genres.

Kerryn Torrance (Violin) has a B.Mus from the University of Stellenbosch and studied music therapy at a post graduate level. In 2002 she co-founded the Music Therapy Community Clinic (MTCC), a non-profit organization that aims to provide free music therapy services to disadvantaged communities in the greater Cape Town area. She plays in a violin/guitar duo called “Take Two” with Pete Narun.

Jacek Domagala (Violin), a Polish violinist, whomakes one of the sweetest sounds on the instrument in the city. Jacek obtained his Masters Degree in Wroclaw Music and is now a member of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. He is also a well known and passionate freelancing violinist

Dave Ridgway (Double Bass) has one of those enviable long-standing reputations in the gigging business in Cape Town. He has played with everyone and has played in anything worth talking about, including the international shows “Chicago”, “Rent”, “JC Superstar” and “Queen”.

Cheryl de Havilland (Cello) asists with ensembles which double as classical and light jazzy gigs. She plays a rich mellow cello. London born, she played in Pretoria and Cape Town orchestras before starting a successful business as a freelance player. Cheryl has extensive experience playing chamber music and is a member of the cello sextet I Grande Violoncellisti. She has given concerts in London, the Netherlands, Germany, Chile, the Canaries and China, as well as in the Grahamstown National Arts Festival and extensively in the Western Cape. She has played for artists such as Pavorotti, Josh Groban, Jimmy Dludlu and many others. Cheryl is also an established cello teacher and has studied jazz on the cello at UCT.

Pieter van Zyl (Accordion) is one of those multi-talented artists who can do so many things well. He turns his pianistic skills easily to the accordion. He has extraordinary experience in mime and performing. Pieter's music qualifications include a B.MUS-degree (US) and M.MUS-degree (UPE) as well as Performer's Licentiates from UNISA and Royal Schools. As solo pianist he has performed throughout South Africa, in London and California. Recent chamber music recitals include those with the Vent Frais Trio as well as performances with Matthew Reid (clarinet) at most of the major South African arts festivals.

Andre van Vuuren was a member of the South African Defence Force Entertainment units as a pianist, accordionist and arranger for many years. He then left to perform solo while completing his studies. In Cape Town he has performed at almost all of it’s main venues and also performed in not less than 1600 corporate events, festivals, private functions and concerts country wide. He plays on a true muzette accordion, especially suited for French café music.

PLAYING WITH FIRE has performed at these venues:
Mount Nelson
Cape Sun
Cape Grace
Vineyard
Lord Charles and Table Bay Hotels
Groot Constantia
Zevenwacht
Klein Verwacht
Mont Destin
KWV
Nederburg
Waterfront
BMW Pavilion
Lanzerac
Spier
Morgenhof
Suikerbossie
Bellingham
Steenberg
Kirstenbosch
Devon Valley
the Met
Parliamentary functions, functions for Nelson Mandela.

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