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Behind The Blues Summit

Behind The Blues Summit

Date: 2012-09-26
Calli Thomson is a name synonymous in most musical circles throughout Durban and even further afield and is always in demand as a musical director and pianist.

This somewhat shy and unassuming lady has been the backbone behind many a musical presentation and her involvement in the Durban International Blues Festival for the last four years cannot go unnoticed and as one of the main keyboard musicians during the Summit where she has performed on stage with the likes of the international guests artists, Liz Mandeville, Fiona Boyse, Phillip Walker and Jimmy Burns to name a few,rehearsing for hours with them in the lead up days to perfect her presentation . "Two years I was the ONLY keyboard player at the Summit & played for 4 hours! My right solo-ing hand felt like a chicken claw at the end of the evening," she laughs.

"I'm very grateful to be part of such a wonderful festival and vibe and to be included with some great muzo's. It's really the highlight of my year!" says Calli who is a graduate from UCT with a degree in classical piano and who went on to study jazz and arrangement where she has made her mark in tribute shows, musicals, cabaret, children's theatre, jazz and rock bands.

"I have had the tremendous opportunity to tour nationally with renowned cabaret artists Danielle Pascal, Mynie Grove and Rory Roetenberg and of course my time teaching in the UCT jazz department and City Varsity Multimedia College was an exceptionally rewarding experience." she says and later when on to settle in Durban with husband and singer, Barry Thomson where she has obviously continued her career.

The Durban International Blues Festival, now in its 8th year, takes place at The Deck on Wilson's Wharf (Durban South Africa) from 2nd to 7th October.

Tickets are available from The Catalina Theatre Box Office on 031 only 3056889 and seating is on a first book- first seated- basis . Season tickets can be purchased for all four paid for shows at R250 (includes the performance of THE REALS in The Catalina Theatre upstairs)

For more information visit the website https://www.durbanbluesfestival.co.za or contact Publicity Director Tanya van Agthoven Marais on 0827479738 or tva_pr@global.co.za during office hours.