Pygmies With Amethyst Kiah at Traverse Theatre

Pygmies + Amythyst Kiah

Expect up-beat and sometimes off-beat music from the 6-piece Pygmies. Comprising Steve Kettley, Barney Barnett and Andy Johnstone on sax, Ali Todd on guitar and vocals, Alex Hudson-Craufurd on double bass and Slawek Justynski on drums, they play Afro, Latin, ska-jazz, blues and soul. They play both original material, and more obscure music by the likes of Abdullah Ibrahim, The Brecker Brothers, Oscar Hernandez, The Skatalites, Eddie Harris and…Lionel Bart (yes, really!).

With special guest: Amythyst Kiah

“She has rising talent written all over her. A 29-year-old with a striking shock of hair and a huskily expressive voice which modulates between strength and tenderness, Kiah strides comfortably across jazz, blues and even country styles” – The Scotsman...

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Pygmies + Amythyst Kiah

Expect up-beat and sometimes off-beat music from the 6-piece Pygmies. Comprising Steve Kettley, Barney Barnett and Andy Johnstone on sax, Ali Todd on guitar and vocals, Alex Hudson-Craufurd on double bass and Slawek Justynski on drums, they play Afro, Latin, ska-jazz, blues and soul. They play both original material, and more obscure music by the likes of Abdullah Ibrahim, The Brecker Brothers, Oscar Hernandez, The Skatalites, Eddie Harris and…Lionel Bart (yes, really!).

With special guest: Amythyst Kiah

“She has rising talent written all over her. A 29-year-old with a striking shock of hair and a huskily expressive voice which modulates between strength and tenderness, Kiah strides comfortably across jazz, blues and even country styles” – The Scotsman

From Johnson City Tennessee, Amythyst Kiah describes herself as a Southern Gothic, alt-country blues singer-songwriter. Her influences span decades and diverse styles: combining rhythm and blues and old-time covers alongside startling originals with an angular contemporary twist, she bestrides both spheres with complete authenticity and authority. Channelled through her massively expressive voice, this richly layered repertoire confirms Amythyst’s emergence as a hugely distinctive new artist.

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