PIANIST and composer Kyle Shepherd will play at the Carnegie Hall in New York in October.

The Standard Bank young artist of the year for jazz was chosen to play at the prestigious venue as part of the Ubuntu: Music and Arts of South Africa festival.

The three-week long programme feeds in to celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of democracy.

Shepherd (27) will be joined by other local greats such as Hugh Masekela, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Abdullah Ibrahim, who have all performed on the Carnegie stage.

"Carnegie Hall is the one place you want to get to. It's the most prestigious concert hall in the world. Also, playing in New York means making the pilgrimage to the modern home of music for any jazz musician.

"To be able to say for the rest of our lives that we played at Carnegie Hall will always be comforting."

He will be joined by drummer Kesivan Naidoo, also a Standard Bank young artist award winner for jazz in 2009. They will play with bassist Shane Cooper, trumpeter Feya Faku, guitarist Reza Khota and saxophonist Justin Bellairs.

The iconic hall was built in 1891 by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. It has more than 2500 seats on five levels. Music legends who have graced the stage include US jazz artists Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and Billie Holiday.

• tlhoaeleb@sundayworld.co.za