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Introducing the collaboration, Dr. Cupido says: "Yoon Chung and I first performed together in Dallas, Texas over 10 years ago. He is a phenomenal pianist who combines passion, bravura and sensitivity; ideal when collaborating with singers."

Following the spirit of the schubertiades (events held to celebrate the music of Franz Schubert), the programme of their joint recital of piano and voice will exclusively feature works by Schubert, namely Four Impromptus D.899, excerpts from Die Schöne Müllerin, Piano Sonata D. 958, and selected pieces from Schwanengesang.

Dr. Cupido adds that "Schubert is often regarded as the cornerstone of the Lied genre. His music has the ability to transfer the texts of poets such as Goethe, Rellstab, Heine, Müller and Seidl to a visceral musical world. He mastered the art of text-painting through melody, rhythm and harmony, equally in the voice and piano, making the music almost tangible to both performer and listener."

Conroy Cupido holds degrees from Stellenbosch University, Southern Methodist University and a Doctorate in Music from The University of North Texas. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in Voice at North West University. He has performed nationally and internationally with opera companies, orchestras and in concerts. He has adjudicated for SAMRO on various occasions for their national and overseas competitions/scholarships.

In 2015 Skyjack recorded their debut self-titled album in Switzerland.  It is an exciting record with layered, story-like compositions written by all five musicians.  From the Ethio-Jazz inspired 'Tafattala' to the modern jazz journey of 'Anonymous in New York', the pallete is wide but with a common thread throughout.

The band features South African musicians Shane Cooper (double bass), Kyle Shepherd (piano), Kesivan Naidoo (drums), and Swiss musicians Marc Stucki (tenor sax), and Andreas Tschopp (trombone).  These five musicians have a deep musical bond that brings them together as often as the cross-continental trip is possible.  This tour will also be the first time Kesivan performs on home soil since completing his Masters Degree at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston this year.

Their first shows together were on a South African tour in 2013, leading up to the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown for Shane Cooper's Young Artist Award showcase.  Since then they have done two tours in Switzerland, and in 2015 won the prestigious BeJazz TransNational competition, bringing them back to perform at BeJazz Winterfestival in 2016 in Berne.

Bassist Shane Cooper says: "I am super excited to be able to bring Skyjack back to SA for this tour.  We've been growing as individuals in our own projects and every time we get back together for a tour we are invigorated by what these developments yield in this group formation.  The album represents a journey that started in 2013, and we hope to keep building from here"