Relaxing after an epic weekend at the 2018 Cape Town International Jazz Festival? Join Shaun Acker (sax) and Brittany Dilkes (piano/voice) for a resting-pulse evening of broody, bluesy, husky jazz classics: Summertime, Georgia on my Mind, Temptation and others. Sip some bourbon and wind back into your week with music by Tom Waits, Diana Krall, Ella Fitzgerald and George Gershwin.

Brittany Dilkes is a singer-songwriter pianist who has grown up in Cape Town with a love of blues and jazz. She graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2013 with a Bachelor of Music Degree in jazz voice. Inspired by nature, her song writing has been influenced by natural elements such as the sea, the moon and the stars. Last year she released an album Walking in a Storm that displays her vocal and piano skills through her original material. She has played in many venues around Cape Town including Pianobar and Café Roux, as well as for corporate functions. 

Shaun Acker graduated from Rhodes University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Music with Distinction in Saxophone performance and composition. He has composed extensively for South African contemporary dance and theatre, with companies such as First Physical and the late acclaimed playwright Reza de Wet. Shaun has performed twice with the South African National Youth Orchestra (2006 and 2011) as principal alto saxophonist, and has also appeared at numerous jazz festivals alongside international stars such as The Beauna Vista Social Club. Recently, he performed various instruments (Sax, flute, clarinet, piano and percussion) in Kardiavale, a cabaret-noir by visual theatre company FTH:K. Shaun lives in Cape Town and freelances as a saxophonist, composer and actor

Audience Responses

Watching Brittany and Shaun perform their blues set was a wonderful way to end off the weekend. Great selection of blues classics, a short 50 minute set, lovely intimate theatre atmosphere, delicious glass of wine, exceptionally gifted musicians. Thanks for a great night - look forward to seeing the duo do their thing at Alexander Bar more regularly.

Keyboards and vocals - very pleasing Saxophone - bit boring

I didn't manage to come to the show but could not cancell