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Biography
All Video in this showcase was shot courtesy of Kali van der Merwe,( www.kali.co.za)
Keira Witherkay is a South African solo acoustic jazz/blues/latin/world guitarist , she has a style that allows her to play bass lines , chords and melody's all on one instrument...this polyphonic approach to playing the acoustic guitar allows her to create a full sound with as many as 3 parts simultaneously from only one instrument.
she sometimes also performs with a vocalist or ensemble,
AS A GUITAR AND VOCAL JAZZ DUO/TRIO ....... Keira performs with vocalist Auriol Hays and together they compliment each others styles incredibly as they take "over played" jazz standards and give them an instant "new sound" with Keira's solo guitar, playing bass/chords and melody simultaniously and Auriol's incredible vocals weaving in and out of the guitar parts. this DUO then adds in the percussive skills of Max and they perform as a trio under the same name "Acoustic Jazz"
Keira uses a nylon string guitar to give a natural warmth not gotten from steel string instruments,
she has spent the last 4 months composing a new instrumental solo guitar album and is hoping to tour her new show worldwide in 2008 /09... she has previously toured extensively in South Africa and internationally
She has also been composing film soundtracks her composition "long street" was used in a movie featured at the 2006 Berlin film festival, and recently 2007 she has composed and recorded soundtracks for a short art film and a documentary both of which are in Australia (jan 2008) and some of Keira's music will be used in a short film by kali v/d merwe "Whole" at a South African film festival later this year.
I'M KEEN TO MEET OTHER MUSICIANS WORLDWIDE ALONG WITH ANY MANAGEMENT, VENUE OWNERS OR BOOKING AGENTS WHO WOULD CONSIDER BOOKING ME TO PERFORM IN VENUES AROUND THE WORLD.......
I love to travel and live by the old musicians credo....
'HAVE GUITAR WILL TRAVEL'
Keira's performances and travels have taken her half way around the world (South Africa/ United Kingdom/ France/ The netherlands/Germany/ Switzerland/ Italy/ kingdom of Bahrain/ Arab Emirates/ Thailand/ Singapore ) and she am so excited and looking forward to exploring the other half,with possible tours to Mozambique/ Thailand/ Spain/ Mexico in the pipeline for 2008.
It's the independence about being a solo acoustic guitarist thats so wonderful ..... I can perform anywhere worldwide, anytime with minimal set up , I literally arrive at a venue and can perform 10 min later, it's as easy as plug in my amplifier tune up and play...since everything I need for intimate venues I can carry with me on the airplane,
Obviously bigger venues need more sound.... but this independence is a huge asset over say a pianist who has to rely on the venue to provide a piano , then each piano has a different sound or feel....
Also I can perform in venues that want live music but don't have the physical space for a pianist or the budget to buy and upkeep a high quality piano.
SO ACOUSTIC GUITAR EQUALS FREEDOM
(a quote from Gabriela one of her favorite acoustic musicians from Mexico)
ENJOY MY MUSIC , I DO
In a technological age I love being able to take a piece of wood with strings attatched to it and make beautiful music especially on an instrument whose design has changed little since the 1600's and not have to rely on computer backtrax or special effects to produce a full sound.
Everyone of us have hopes and dreams and I am fortunate enough to live my dreams,
What do I want out of life?
"I just want to travel the world and make music thats melodic and grooving, essentially finding love in music, art, and people."
Below is the repetoire list of Keira Witherkay
As a “solo instrumental acoustic guitarist”
Original compositions by Keira Witherkay
Performed on solo acoustic instrumental guitar
All these compositions were inspired by her travels
around the world And have strong world influences.
1. Dreams of Madrid …..a distinct Flamenco/latin feel
2. Waiting for a bus …… an African inspired sound
3.One Lunch time in Africa …an African inspired sound
4. Two Days on a train…. A mix of African and Indian
5. Havana …………… Cuban feel with solo’s
6.Streets of New Orleans … a Ragtime inspired tune
7. Stomping blues…….. Blues with a solid tempo
8. Blue on a Tuesday…… Blues with laidback feel
9. Morocco ………….. Moroccan/arabic song
10. Laura’s song ……. Classical inspired love ballad
11. Travelling music for faeries …. eclectic Celtic style
12. Calcutta ………. Indian inspired sitar type song
13.Granada ……… uptempo Latin/Spanish piece
14. Slap happy …… an interlude around a slap bass line
15. Dublin …. A traditional Irish sounding composition
16 Heather in spring.... A beautiful classical inspired piece
Jazz Standards
Performed by Keira in her “solo acoustic instrumental guitar” style
1. (that’s why the ) Lady is a tramp
2. Blue moon
3. Take 5
4.Lion sleeps tonight
5. Mannenberg
6.Fly me to the moon
7. Summertime
8. Autumn Leaves
9. it’s only a Paper moon
10. Agua de beber
11. The Girl from Ipanema
12. All of me
13.Sugar in my bowl
14.How it feels to be free
15. on the Sunny side of the street
16.So what
17. African Medley
18. unforgettable
19. Georgia on my mind
20. Misty
21.what a wonderful world
22. my Favourite things
23.These foolish things,
24. Stormy weather
25. Some where over the rainbow
26. Dream a little dream of me
27. Mr bojangles
28. As time goes by
Evergreen Popular songs
Performed by Keira in her “solo acoustic instrumental guitar” style
1.Tears in Heavan (Eric Clapton)
2. The rose (Bette Midler)
3. Yesterday (The Beatles)
4. Redemption song (Bob Marley)
5. Sitting on the Dock of the bay (Otis Redding)
6. Wonderful tonight (Eric Clapton)
7. Killing me softly (Roberto Flack)
8. And I love her. (The Beatles)
9 Sorry (Tracy Chapman)
10. These boots are made for walking
11. Imagine (John Lennon)
12. Alices restaurant. (Arlo Guthrie)
13. Hotel California. (The Eagles)
14 Don’t know why (Nora Jones)
15. Just the way you are (Billy Joel)
16.Stand by me (Ben E King)
17.Love is all around (wet wet wet)
18.Norwegian wood (The Beatles)
19. Let it be (The Beatles)
hugs KEIRA WITHERKAY
TO CONTACT Keira email her at
keira.witherkay@live.co.za
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