The music was certainly one reason for the good humour. Bluegrass was derived from the music of the many people who settled in America in the 18th century, Scottish ballads, Irish reels and jigs played on fiddles, guitars, whistles, drums and bagpipes.
The band Blacksmith, from Cape Town, provided the genre, while Knysna's very own Pipe Band under the leadership of Pipe Major Steve Collins brought the skirl of the pipes to the party. They combined in a final medley featuring popular Celtic tunes and the Irish and Scottish songs, with the hugely popular Amazing Grace, that had the crowd on its feet in a standing ovation.
Another element that made the event so special was the layout. Seating was on straw bales at tables of eight, and further tables of scaffold planks laid over straw bales. It all lent a very appropriate rustic setting in the midst of the Steenbok Park Nature Reserve. With colourful umbrellas and food and drink stalls on the perimeter, it was a wonderfully informal setting. President of the Knysna Yacht Club, Roger Clancy said, "I thought the atmosphere, the vibe, with all the people young and old so relaxed and happy, was simply wonderful. I hope they do it again next year."
One of the organisers Steve Collins said they had sold tickets to over 1 200 enthusiasts. It all required a huge amount of work on the part of the organisers, Collins and Martin Green, and proceeds from the concert will go to the Knysna Sea Cadets, at whose base the Pipe Band practises twice a week.
The entertainers for the concert were Blacksmith, an iconic bluegrass band from Cape Town, which was extremely popular. Blending with its style, and indeed a part of the parentage of Bluegrass music, were the pipes and drums of the Knysna Pipe Band. To many the combination of both genres was a real treat, and when they played together in medleys they were ultra special. For variety Steve Collins and Martin Green invited the Afro Quartez, four local African voices who specialise in operatic singing.
They had a set to themselves before joining into the finale. You Raise Me Up was especially rousing and drew much applause. They added their voices to Amazing Grace, the hugely successful final medley.
The concert opened with a Spanish guitar piece by Fransu and Carla Myburg, accompanied by Tessa Collins on the cahon drum. Tessa appeared again on the cahon drum with Richard Payn, one of South Africa's top pipers, in a set of jigs and hornpipes.
Collins and Green were so encouraged by the response to the concert, and the fabulous help received from many sponsors, too many to mention, that they are already planning another concert for next year. They are immensely happy and grateful for the generous support of many individuals and businesses in Knysna, which as they said, is a wonderful place to live.
Over 1 000 people enjoyed the Sundowners Concert on Leisure Isle. (Photo: Elle Photography.)
