With HA!MAN aka Francois le Roux
Tue 5 Dec 7pm-9pm
Temple of Light IN Ystradgynlais
35 Heol Maes-y-dre, SA9 1HA
Suggested donations after the performance £15 / £10
With a solid background in classical cello and piano, South Africa's "HA!Man" (Francois le Roux) has improvised since age four and turned this gift into an international career spanning three decades. He coined his art "HA!" for the mystical way he approaches his playing, preferring to proceed from a point of silence (or a breath), feeling his way through a myriad of styles and textures.
In a live performance, his spontaneous cello playing is central, but is often complimented with keyboard (or piano, if available) improvisations, expressions with voice, whistling, flutes and traditional instruments, even dancing as well as video projection. Each performance is unique, but follows an emotional contour that progresses from the contemplative, through to the energetic and explorative and finally to celebration and homecoming. Original electronic accompaniments playing through high quality sound turn any space - from living rooms to concert halls - into a place of wonder and deep experience.
Says musician Joel Karabo Elliott, Nashville, USA: "The HA!Man is truly one of the finest jewels of South African music. Classical music meets free improvisation in his inspired performances. Rarely do we encounter such embodiment of spirit and skill, soul and technique, talent and humility in a single body-soul!" And Rob Knowles in "Talk of the Town", South Africa: "Le Roux redefines the modern South African musical genre, rocking the roots of traditional African rhythm and challenging any preconceived ideas about what one is allowed to do with two keyboards, a speaker system, a descant recorder, a live cello and voice."
With HA!MAN aka Francois le Roux
Tue 5 Dec 4pm-6pm
Temple of Light IN Ystradgynlais
35 Heol Maes-y-dre, SA9 1HA
Suggested donations £20 / £15
In a workshop situation, Francois applies his knack for intuitive accompaniment to facilitate an acoustic environment for participants - of any level of expertise - to reach an enhanced state of self-expression. This can happen on an individual or group level, with any combination of instruments and/or voice. Says dr Bruce Copley, Cape Town: "I consider Francois to be one in a million, a gifted teacher and facilitator of group processes, creating unforgettable and inspiring experiences." And Barbara Kennedy, cello teacher, also from Cape Town: "I can say without reservation that le Roux's mastery of his art combined with his dynamic presentation skills had a profoundly positive effect on the general standard of playing and interpretation of music thereafter."