Returning to Cape Town I joined Scottfree, a versatile 6 piece band led by Mike Scott, and that lasted 5 years. We worked Maseru, Joburg, Sun City and then toured SA on the Tina Turner tour. After a few residencies in Cape Town the band finally split. This band was an important srepping stone for me. It had a strong jazz influence and everyone contributed to material and arrangements. The band was hardworking and we always did jazz gigs in addition to the residency “general business “ musical demands. Branch Office, Joburg Jazz Club, Hillbrow Tower were highlights and Scottfree was also expanded into “Octoplus”, a biggish band well led by trombonist John Davis.

On the road again this time to Botswana for a year as solo pianist at the President and Holiday Inn hotels. I was able to expand my repertoire greatly during this time and in ’82 I got the gig at the new Cape Sun Hotel in Strand Street Cape Town. This led to the Palm Court “mood music “albums and I was able to renew my friendship with sax legend Winston Mankunku. It wasn’t long before we were packing out the Noon gun bar 3 times a week! We still found time to rehearse originals and this woodshedding resulted in a trip to London to record “Jika”, which achieved some international releases and is still active after 20 years.

I left for engagements as a solo pianist in Germany and Switzerland in ’87 and worked piano bars and hotels extensively. On my return I did Cape Sun and Mt. Nelson gigs as well as continuing to work and play with Winston. In ’97 I started at the new Table Bay Hotel on the Waterfront. In the interim “Jika” was still selling well so we recorded “Dudula“ and “Molo Africa. “Molo Africa“ won the SAMA Award in the jazz category in ’99. I then released an album of my own stuff called “ Siyamemeza (We are Calling) in 2001.

The last few years have seen a lot of work for me as solo pianist and I have also done a number of trio gigs with my old buddies Richard Pickett (ex Scottfree and the drummer on “Jika”) and Charles Lazar (bass). We sometimes expand into a quintet featuring Alvin Dyers on guitar and Emily Bruce on vocals. More “ corporate “ work comes up these days and it has been nice to work with “Petals” and also Martin Myers for high profile engagements e.g. Pam Golding Awards evening, Queensplate handicap (Kenilworth), pre-met party Jonkersdrift to mention a few.

At present I play 5 evenings a week (mon – fri) from 4-7 pm on the lovely, and of course very familiar Steinway at the Palm Court of the Cape Sun Hotel. The Palm Court with its beautiful Italian marble finishes and triple volume ceiling is still for me a great pleasure – a unique “room” which I thoroughly enjoy playing in. It feels like coming home full circle!

Mike Perry, June 2009

Hi Gcinanii, Thanks for your comments, glad. Well “Nkomo” meaning bull or cow in Xhosa as you know is also the title of a small record label “Nkomo Records” – which in turn derived from Winston Mankunku’s “Yakhali’Nkomo” the bellowing or even yoked bull.

On 20 Jul 2009, at 10:29 AM, Gcinani Mtoba wrote:

Hi Mike,

Just to say thank you for the music at the Cape Sun, during my stay there. The music did something to my soul and just my whole well being. I am back in Jhb. Just for interest sake, how did the email address “nkomo” come about. “Nkomo” is a xhosa word.

Hi Mike

And a big thank you from me as well…….you added a distinct class to the proceedings !

Look forward to working with you again in the not too distant future.

Regards

Anthony

Mike, I agree. Thank you for your consummate professionalism and for contributing to a fantastic party.

Regards

Simon

Dear Mike

Thank you for great gig last night, playing was fantastic; please thank Mel and Charles too.

The playing of the fanfares was great, if we had to have used cd music it would have got very boring

You set the tone for a great evening which ended at 3am.

Once again thank you.

Warm regards.

Martin