Welcome.

I’m a guitarist from Cape Town, South Africa. I talk to people and play guitar, drawing lines and connections between African music, classical music, and what it is to be a creative.

REVIEWS

“This music is more about Agape than Eros...it is music that leaves you feeling a little more than human, a little better than human.” Mail and Guardian.

”...breathtaking arrangements of kora pieces mostly associated with Toumani Diabate.” Songlines Music Award for Best African and Middles Eastern Album 2017.

“bringing African guitar into the classical mainstream…opening a whole new repertoire of classical guitar music.” The Evening Standard

“I hear truth, I hear meaning, I hear love and I hear hope. At times I am overcome with emotion.” UK Vibe

“You might think a solo guitarist would feel swamped on the large stage of Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall, but ...Gripper walked onto...stage with a cheery nod, acknowledging the welcome from the audience, took a seat, relaxed with one ankle resting on the other knee, and proceeded to play the most beautiful, enchanting guitar music you will ever hear.” Folk Radio

“So far and deep Derek Gripper has invaded the world of the Kora over the years that he ranks as her Messiah in the western hemisphere.” High Res Audio

“Engaging patter aside, Gripper literally hypnotized the audience with his seemingly effortless adaptation of pieces performed by Toumani Diabate, Ballake Sissoko and other giants of the kora...The result is jaw-droppingly beautiful.” Afropop Worldwide

“The result is astounding, not just for its technical brilliance, but its musicality. Gripper executes these pieces with the precision and attention to detail one might expect from a great classical musician...” Afropop Worldwide

“broad, sweeping, delicate and deft in equal measure. He translates the dexterous melodies of a 21-string harp onto a 6-string guitar with the sort of finesse of a silver-fingered troubadour, and all at once the lilting flamenco guitar sounds undeniably African.” Tex and the City

“From the off, the latest release from the incredible instrumentalist drops you into his utterly unique African guitar cosmos…” about A Year of Swimming in Songlines Magazine

“The fluidity, sonic beauty and musical interplay exhibited on this record leaves little to suggest that this album was recorded in one day.” About Saturday Morning in Boston in Songlines Magazine

“Gripper is so at home with this music and that makes it more special than most albums I hear on classical guitar. Never do I feel he is struggling or ‘trying’ to pull something off.” This Is Classical Guitar