SA group takes step towards Grammy

Johannesburg - South African guitar duo CH2 is over the first hurdle in the race for a Grammy award.

Corneille Hutten-Burger, who plays in CH2 along with Leon Gropp, said they just learned they have met the criteria to enter for the coveted American music prize.

Hutten-Burger said the process is anything but simple.

"You get a small booklet from the Grammy committee with all the criteria. One is that you must have released a minimum of six CDs internationally. With our latest CD, Ping, we could now meet this requirement."

It is also this CD that's on its way to America where Grammy judges will decide whether it will go through to the next round. The album will then hopefully compete in the World Music and Jazz-Latin categories.

Pre-concert

The two guitarists were also among selected guests invited to Beverly Hills to attend one of the pre-concerts for the Grammys. Sharon Osbourne and saxophonist Dave Koz will be the masters of ceremonies at the event.

CH2 made a few influential American friends in September 2011 when they competed in the Six String Theory-guitar competition.

It was inspired by legendary American and Grammy-winning guitarist Lee Ritenour, whose album Six String Theory led to the competition.

CH2's guitar playing drew a lot of attention and they've already been invited to return this year - this time to also deliver a performance during the competition.

Locally CH2 can be seen in March at the Woordfees in Stellenbosch in a new production, titled Ping!.

They're tackling the "guitar-cabaret" with Lizz Meiring, who describes it as a "comic art-cabaret in the style of Herman van Veen".

She said audience participation forms an important part of the production "full of humour, unusual music and wordsketches".

According to Meiring the plan is to go on a nationwide tour after the festival.