matjieshowntell

It is with the greatest possible sadness that I pass on the news, to those of you who haven't already heard, of Alex's death ysterday. he was killed in a collision on the N1, on the morning of the 7th of January 2009.

For those of you who spent even a short time in his company, you will know the great loss that family, friends, and so many lives touched through the seduction of music, collaborations with people from Cape Town to Namaqualand, Sweden...

I feel immensely honoured to have been his brother-in-law, and to have made music with him. Especially to have shared with him and his longest and dearest friend, Brydon Bolton, his last recorded concert at Artscape Arena last month.

Please go to the new www.derekgripper.com for sounds from this gig. And thank you so much to Ross for getting the new site up for me in a hurry (for fixing my attempts at web design). It felt important to have something there.

I can't imagine how we will play music again. Every moment brings a new awareness of the scope of loss. It is personal and more - he was South Africa's most feeling blast of raw energy and power. He was deeply in love with this country, its music, and people, and worked tirelessly in his last years with so many, to bring the music of this region out.

Bye bye boeta. We love you.

Please pass this on as you see fit. Many thanks,

Derek Gripper
+27/21/7801418


www.derekgripper.com

www.myspace.com/derekgripper