Bring your picnic and relax to the sound of jazz masters, Virtual Jazz Reality, at 17:30 on Sunday, 5 February 2012 at the Helderberg Nature Reserve in Somerset West.

Formed in 1993, Virtual Jazz Reality (VJR) comprises some of the most respected, versatile and experienced artists on the South African music scene. Collectively and/or individually, they have performed throughout Africa, the United Kingdom, America (New Orleans and New York), Far East, UAE (Dubai), Australia, Sweden, Denmark and elsewhere in Europe.

The band’s jazz repertoire includes over 100 original compositions (some of which have reached the top of the jazz charts) and all the popular jazz standards. Continue reading this post »

After playing to a capacity crowd of around 1 400 here last year, the ever-popular local group, Shiraz, is set to delight the audience yet again on Sunday, 22 January 2012 at the Helderberg Nature Reserve in Somerset West. Continue reading this post »

Celebrate the new year with the lively sound of Wurstzipfel at the Helderberg Nature Reserve.

Local Oompah band, Wurstzipfel, will open the 2012 leg of the Helderberg Nature Reserve’s Sunset Concerts on 8 January 2012 at 17:30.  The Concerts are presented by the Friends of the Helderberg Nature Reserve and Fleur du Cap.

Wurstzipfel’s music is a unique mixture of skiffle, rock, blues and oompah sounds. Playing to loud acclaim both locally and abroad since 2005, Wurstzipfel comprises Rainer Augustin, Willi Gfröhrer, Mark Augustin and Dave Ridgeway. Continue reading this post »

Bring your picnic, friends and family and enjoy the late afternoon summer sun with the Delft Big Band when they swing into action at the Helderberg Nature Reserve’s Summer Sunset Concert on Sunday, 11 December 2011 at 17h30 in Somerset West. The Concerts are presented by the Friends of the Helderberg Nature Reserve and Fleur du Cap.

With members as young as 13, the band was formed in August 2008 as a developmental initiative to help vulnerable youth from high schools in Leiden, Rosendal and Voorbrug outside Cape Town. Under the directorship of renowned jazz trumpeter Ian Smith, the Delft Big Band has been stealing the show at major jazz events both locally and internationally. Continue reading this post »

The legendary Blues Broers have returned to the stage after a hiatus of seven years and will open this year’s sunset concert series at the Helderberg Nature Reserve in Somerset West on 27 November 2011.

In the 90s they were known as South Africa’s hardest working blues band. Criss-crossing the country in trucks laden with musical equipment, they played hundreds of gigs at festivals, in bars and in nightclubs. However, the tragic death of drummer Frank Frost in 1999 was a blow from which the band struggled to recover and in 2003 they put on a final farewell gig in Stellenbosch.

Now, snappily attired in their trademark black suits and dark glasses, they’re ready to roll again. The Blues Broers are back in circulation. The band is currently recording a new album, Out of the Blue, due for release in November this year. Continue reading this post »