Derek Gripper, an internationally active solo guitar performer of new music from the Western Cape of South Africa, will perform in Stellenbosch on Sunday the 25th of October at the NG Kerk Welgelegen at 16h00.

Derek has just returned from concert appearances in the Netherlands, Sweden and an International Guitar Festival in Denmark and will make a brief stop in the Western Cape before his upcoming tour of the UK and Ireland in November.

Derek Gripper's intimate but virtuosic style of guitar playing combines the techniques of classical guitar with the imagery and mystery of the rural areas of the Cape.

"A unique insight into South Africa and its music" Gripper's shows, presented in countries around the world, are recitals, solo improvisations, story-telling, and an experience of an entirely unique guitar style.

Derek Grippers CDs pay homage to musicians such as Brazil's Egberto Gismonti, Mali's Toumani Diabate and Japan?s Toru Takemitsu, uniting their work into new form of cyclical African music.

His latest offering, a series of solo guitar works called Kai Kai, continues to explore connections to the work of Gismonti, van Heerden, and traditional Cape music. Woven into the musical fabric are stories and images, giving a unique and evocative picture of South African history, its people, and its music.

See www.derekgripper.com for more details and for purchasing CDs and MP3s.