Robert Juritz

Robert Juritz, now based in London, was born in Cape Town. He was awarded several gold diplomas as a child playing the piano and bassoon in the local Eisteddfods. He went on to study music at the University of Cape Town and graduated with a B.Mus in 1978, with a first class pass in performance. During his University studies, Robert Juritz was selec... ted for the South African National Youth Orchestra. Whilst on a European tour, he was selected to play for the International Youth Orchestra that performed at the Albert Hall under the direction of Claudio Abado. He played with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra and St Georges Cathedral Chamber Orchestra. He also worked with several theatre companies as a musical director, composing incidental music the productions. Robert Juritz also performed with the leading Cape Town jazz musicians from 1974 till 1980. He left South Africa in 1980, to teach music in Namibia, at the Windhoek Conservatoire of Music. Robert Juritz came to the UK in 1981 and co-founded the musical theatre company Skirted Issue with Michele Maxwell, Sarah Mc Nair and Leonie Hofmeyr. They went on to produce a hit show on the Edinburgh Fringe Festival called 'Boogie Woogie Bubble and Squeak. The show subsequently transferred to the West End and toured to packed houses in Holland and Belgium. Robert Juritz has performed and recorded in the UK with many different groups, covering an extremely broad range of musical styles. This work has included contemporary music, classical music, commercial studio work, music for theatre, TV, live music for the classic silent films and animation, along with jazz, playing in clubs and doing benefit events. Better known groups include Chris McGregors Brotherhood of Breath, whose last recording was with saxophonist Archie Shepp . The recording of Music for the Third Policeman by Django Bates with The Powder Room Collapse Orchestra was voted as one of the best five jazz albums of 1990, by both the Guardian and Q magazine. Robert Juritz is a ...Read More