Melvin Peters

Project); and the Kwazulu-natal Performing Arts Trust. As if all this does not keep him busy enough, he is a part-time jazz piano tutor at the Durban Music School, and engages in several music projects locally and internationally.

“I started classical piano lessons at the age of 6, thanks to my father who encouraged me, and continued throughout high school. My tutors included Professor Hubert van der Spuy and Isabella Stengel,” he said.

“While studying towards a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Natal, I began jazz piano lessons under the tutelage of Darius Brubeck in 1983.”

After completing a master of music degree in jazz performance in 1989, he was appointed lecturer in Jazz Studies at the University of Durban-westville, where he taught for 10 years. During this time he was awarded a scholarship to study at Harvard University in America in 1998. “I got to share the stage with the legendary Dave Brubeck.”

So who else has he made sweet music with? His long, slender fingers, tick them off: jazz guitarist Herb Ellis and drummer Ginger Baker. “I collaborated with Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand) in the formation of the Cape Town Jazz Orchestra, where he was appointed music director.”

Peters regrets never having had a chance to play with the great saxophone player Michael Brecker. “I heard him live when he was part of the Paul Simon band on the Graceland tour of South Africa. He played with such soul, creativity and imagination, and had the ability to fit into different musical contexts. Sadly, he died but left an indelible mark on the jazz world.”

Adding more strings to his bow (or should we say keys to his boards) he has performed and tutored regularly at the National

Melvin Peters, Ashwin Singh, Frances Chisholm (the former US consul-general), Dr Betty Govinden, Leon Govender and Raymond Perrier. Arts Festival in Grahamstown; and collaborated with others during Johannesburg’s Joy of

Jazz festival, as well as the Hilton Festival. He has made several appearances with the Kwazulunatal Philharmonic Orchestra, and performed in the premiere of Noel Stockton’s Invictus with the Free State Symphony Orchestra.

“I have discovered a wonderful synergy between church organ