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Biography
Biography
Keira Witherkay is a South African “Solo Acoustic Fingerstyle Instrumental World/Jazz Guitarist”
she has developed a unique 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 melodically then she adds in percussion using the body of the guitar as a drum.
Although predominantly a Solo Artist she sometimes also performs with a vocalist or ensemble especially in the Jazz genre
Keira uses a nylon string guitar to give a natural warmth not gotten from steel string instruments,
she has spent the last months composing a new” instrumental solo guitar album” and is hoping to tour her new show worldwide in 2009 /10... she has previously toured extensively in South Africa and internationally
She also composes 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 was used in a film by award winning film maker kali v/d merwe "Whole" at a South African film festival in June 2008 with nation wide showings and major launch’s in both Johannesburg and Cape Town.
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.......
Playing instrumental music is awesome since I can perform anywhere in the world and my music has the same impact… I’m not reliant on people understanding the language in which the lyrics are written…
“PERFORMING INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IS TRULY UNIVERSAL”
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 Thailand/ Spain/ Mexico in the pipeline for 2009.
And she is dying to perform in New York at the 1st possible opportunity.
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."
Keira is currently october 2008 in johannesburg South Africa and has been performing in and around the city.
Recent shows include
Solo original Performances on the same bill as popular commercial acts like Josie Field Laurie Levine, Absinthe at the Rock Bar in Melville
And long term residencies at Monte Casino & currently Carnval City performing her Jazz/adult comtempory/world music repetoire.
And a residency at “The Gypsy Lounge “ in Sandton performing Flamenco guitar as a solo artist.
She hosts an “Acoustic & Original” show at Jonathans every Wednesday and gets to perform her Original material with most of Johannesburgs better acoustic musicians.
And also performances at Indulgence Café in Northcliff, Tanz Café, Thyme out .. Foundry Fly Lounge . Cesco’s , Back 2 Basix. And various private functions.
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 extended solo’s
6.Streets of New Orleans … a Ragtime tune
7. Blue on a Tuesday…… Blues with laidback feel
8. Morocco ………….. Moroccan/arabic song
9. Laura’s song ……. Classical inspired love ballad
10. Calcutta ………. Indian inspired sitar type song
11. Mambo mambo … an uptempo Mambo/jazz influenced composition
12. Slap happy …… an interlude around a slap bass line
13. Celtic Grooves …. A traditional Irish sounding composition in two movements
14. Heather in spring.... A beautiful classical inspired piece, a love song.
15. La Vida con Gabriella ….a grooving Cuban inspired composition
16. my goodbye to Emily Remler ...an inspired/tribute composition dedicated to the tragically deceased woman jazz musician Emily Remler from New York
The repetoire below is a list of Keira’a jazz/adult contempory music, which
she performs in her unique style.
And is well suited to Upmarket restaurants /hotels/cocktail parties/ events/ functions…. In fact anywhere where beautiful sophisticated and skillfully performed music is required…
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. Imagine (John Lennon)
11. Alices restaurant. (Arlo Guthrie)
12 Don’t know why (Nora Jones)
13. Just the way you are (Billy Joel)
14.Stand by me (Ben E King)
15.Love is all around (wet wet wet)
16.Norwegian wood (The Beatles)
17.I say a little prayer for you (Aretha Franklin)
18.my girl
PEACE AND LIGHT KEIRA WITHERKAY
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