Two jazz legends will be inducted into the South Australian Music Hall of Fame at a ceremony at Adelaide Town Hall.
Kym Bonython AC, AO, DFC, AFC and Kym Purling will be inducted into the prestigious collective at a Civic Reception on Friday, 26 September. Both inductees have made their mark on the South Australian music landscape.
Kym Bonython will be inducted posthumously to recognise his contribution to South Australia's arts and cultural scene and Adelaide's standing on the global stage.
A musician, broadcaster, concert promoter and entrepreneur, Music Maker magazine honoured Bonython in 1972 as "the person who has done most for jazz in Australia".
He brought many jazz greats to Adelaide including Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, The Glenn Miller Band, Herbie Mann, Dave Brubeck, Gene Kruper, Pee Wee Russell, Eddie Condon, Vic Dickerson, Dick Hughes, Jimmy Rushing and Winifred Atwell.
In 1973 Bonython expanded from jazz into rock and roll, bringing Chuck Berry to Adelaide. He was also involved in Australian tours by the Beatles, Bob Dylan and Marlene Dietrich.
Bonython's legacy includes serving on the City of Adelaide Council and many arts boards and committees, including the Adelaide Festival of the Arts, Australia Council for the Arts, Musica Viva, Australia Japan Foundation and South Australian Jubilee 150 Board.
The SA Music Hall of Fame will also recognise the inspiring and ongoing musical contribution made by Kym Purling. Purling graduated from the Elder Conservatorium with a Bachelor of Music and Jazz Studies and formed the Kym Purling Trio.
Averaging over 250 performances a year between 1993 and 1998, Purling is one of the most prolific and recognisable musicians in South Australia.
In 1998, Purling took up an opportunity at the University of Las Vegas and began performing in showrooms on the famous Las Vegas strip, playing for the likes of Frank Sinatra Junior, David Cassidy, Buddy Greco and more.
In 2020, Purling relocated to his hometown of Adelaide where he is in demand as a performer and musical director.
Lord Mayor of Adelaide Dr Jane Lomax-Smith said Kym Bonython and Kym Purling were worthy recipients of the honour of being inducted into the South Australian Music Hall of Fame.
"There are few people who have led as storied a life as Kym Bonython: a decorated World War II pilot, musician, gallery owner, racing driver and, of course, an Adelaide City Councillor," said the Lord Mayor.
"His lifelong passion for jazz brought the brightest stars to Adelaide, from Duke Ellington to Chuck Berry, and made him a cultural force the likes of which our city has rarely seen.
"Kym Purling's journey from Adelaide to the international stage is a testament to the boundless reach of South Australian talent. From Broadway to the world's great jazz halls, he has carried the spirit of our city with him.
"This week, we honour his extraordinary contribution to music as we welcome both men into the South Australian Music Hall of Fame."
SA Music Hall of Fame spokesperson Rob Pippan said the organisation is thrilled to unveil a new chapter in recognising and celebrating leaders in South Australian music.
"This year sees the SA Music Hall of Fame with a refreshed committee, a fabulous new exhibition home at the amazing Adelaide Town Hall and celebrating two incredibly worthy inductees, Kym Bonython and Kym Purling," said Mr Pippan.
The City of Adelaide is proudly presenting the SA Music Hall of Fame exhibition across two levels of Adelaide Town Hall to celebrate Adelaide's 10-year milestone as Australia's first and only UNESCO City of Music.
The display includes rare memorabilia, archival material, signed guitars, historic sound equipment, photographs and the SA Music Hall of Fame Honour Boards. Entry is free and open to the public weekdays between 9am and 5pm.
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