Published August 31, 2022
Heritage
weekend at the Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria (Javett-UP)
promises to be something special, marking both Heritage Day and three years
since the doors to Javett-UP first opened. On 23 September at 19:00, pianist,
composer and UP alumnus Keenan Meyer, kicks off the celebrations with a unique
one-night-only heritage experience inside the Javett-UP’s Yakhal’Inkomo: The Bongi Dhlomo Collection Exhibition.
“Javett-UP first opened its doors in 2019 with such enthusiasm and optimism, and continues to carry the founding energies that embodies its character as it marks three years. Together with its connection to the diverse communities of practice and contact zones, emerged from the Covid-19 lockdown more inspired and committed to contributing to the growth of the art, cultural heritage sector. With its unique proximity to the University of Pretoria, Javett-UP continues to aspire to innovation and solution-driven curatorial programming that will impact our collective human conditions from within our immediate geography reaching across our region” says Javett-up CEO Lekgetho Makola.
A classically trained performer with a unique jazz sound, Meyer graduated from the University of Pretoria with a Bachelor of Music Degree, majoring in music psychology and piano methodology in 2018. Meyer was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa and has had a lifelong relationship with music. He launched his debut album The Alchemy of Living last year to critical acclaim.
The Alchemy of Living is described as an album that pays homage to SA’s musical heritage and the icons that he studied, but it also follows a journey of self-discovery and introspective meditation on the diverse paths he has walked in his musical journey and the actualisation of his own identity.
Meyer’s deep awareness and understanding of Impressionist composers such as Ravel and Debussy, combined with the Romantic style in Rachmaninoff and others, is enriched by his knowledge of South African music. Although Meyer describes the jazz elements in The Alchemy of Living as fresh and fun, he is also aware of the role it plays in connecting audiences to South Africa’s heritage.
“Music is doing the work of the spirit, it allows us to
remember ourselves. That when we engage South African music, jazz specifically,
there is a moment of remembering self, remembering where we come from and
reimagining ourselves going forward,” says Meyer.
To hear Meyer play is to be drawn into South Africa’s rich
musical soundscape; it speaks of home, touches memory and fills the soul.
Against the backdrop of Javett-UP’s current exhibitions, it will remind the
audience of the importance of history and connections.
Join us on 23 September at 19:00 to experience Keenan Meyer
live in concert.