South African pianist Andre Petersen passes away

“Oh, my goodness, shattered,” wrote singer Zoë Modiga. “Rest in peace Bhut Andre Petersen. Sending love to your beautiful family.”

Bass player Benjamin Jephta wrote: “I have just heard that we’ve lost an amazing South African music resource and a genius, and I’m sure an amazing husband and father. I was looking forward to playing and learning from you. Rest in power king Andre Petersen.”

Jazz drummer Kesivan Naidoo wrote: “It hurts me to hear that my dear brother in music Andre Petersen has passed away. He was one of the great pianists from South Africa. The telepathy we had between the piano and drums was beautiful to experience. We studied music together at UCT [University of Cape Town] and shared many concerts together. I am gonna miss you dearly and your playing will always be with me. My deepest condolences go out to his wife, Chantal Willie-Petersen, his daughter Zion and the family. Thanks for the music Andre and my you Rest in Peace.”

Petersen’s friend and former SAMRO Foundation managing director Andre le Roux described the late musician as a “gentle soul and an amazing pianist.”

“He won a SAMRO Foundation overseas scholarship many years ago and he entered the competition playing among his peers and students,” Le Roux said. “He was a fatherly figure, educator and someone who helped people in many ways. We will miss his input to the music sector and his caring for students.”

Petersen was a recipient of classical and jazz prizes at the Old Mutual Jazz Encounters Competition, the SAMRO Overseas Piano Scholarship Competition, the Oppenheimer Overseas Scholarship, and the Vuya Foundation Scholarship Award. In 2011, the Cape Town musician was the only African selected from 68 international pianists who participated at the prestigious Concours de Piano-jazz Martial Solal in Paris, France, and received a special mention award at the event.

His international recording and performance credits include working with vibraphonist and Grammy nominee Stefon Harris as well as Reggie Washington, Dave Liebman, Marcus Strickland, the Stockholm Jazz Orchestra and Norwegian avant-garde band Soyr, among many others.

Petersen also worked with top South African musicians including Winston ‘Mankunku’ Ngozi, Makaya Ntshoko, Feya Faku, Robbie Jansen, Judith Sephuma and Jimmy Dludlu. He had numerous celebrated performances in South Africa at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, the National Arts Festival and Joy of Jazz. He toured Norway, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Mexico, Japan and the US.