Amputation will not stop Mr Jazz

SIMON Kerdachi, a legend in the South African music scene for the past fifty years was just 15 years old when he started playing the piano.

Years of battling diabetes resulted in a recent set back befalling the star pianist. Last March he had to have his foot amputated and had a series of operations after stents to improve his blood circulation did not work. Kerdachi has recently undergone another operation to have a prosthetic leg and hopes to be back playing the piano soon.

As a youngster Kerdachi was self taught but later learned under the tutorage of well known Lem Colvin, studying classical, jazz and popular piano styles. He also studied extensively with renowned pianist and teacher John Mehegan in jazz piano, improvisation, and tonal principals as well as all four volumes of tonal and rhythmic principals, earning him a name as one of the countries top pianists.

He has recorded music and played on many jazz and light music programmes for SABC and LM Radio. He has played with the country’s big names including George Hayden, Brian Thusi, Eve Boswell, Dianne Chandler, Judy Page and Sandile Shange as well as played, narrated and performed in The History of Jazz Piano. He started the Simon Kerdachi School of Music in 1972 were he taught piano, organ and guitar to many semi-professionals and professional musicians. A highlight of his years in the industry is having some of South Africa’s big names schooled under him at the academy as well as writing music and composing for television.

Today Simon still teaches adult beginners from his Morningside home.

“To make a good living in this industry, you have to have versatility and be able to play, teach, write and compose. There is no book that you can buy for experience. Music is hard work if you want to be good,” said Kerdachi .

The challenge Kerdachi now faces is adjusting to a new way of life. “You have to get your mind right. We do everything with two feet. I am looking forward to playing again,” he added.

With fifty years of music behind him Kerdachi has many memorable moments. He recalled an evening playing at The Playhouse in the 1980’s with one of the top female ballad singers. “She had been singing a beautiful ballad when a drunk bunch of bowls players walked in and started singing “Isiki zumba zumba zumba”, the singer was so upset she walked off, but we carried on playing,” he laughed recalling the story.

Musician friends of Kerdachi, Bobby Minter and Colin Penn together with the Who’s Who of the Durban music scene have planned a benefit concert for the pianist next Saturday, 27 March at the German Club in Westville. Tickets are R100. Contact Bobby Minter on 031 7168718 or 082 9254635 for tickets and information.