Nashville-born and Los Angeles-based guitarist Ned Evett brings his groundbreaking sound and unparalleled fretless guitar mastery to South Africa for the first time this December. Known for pioneering the glass-necked fretless guitar and collaborating with some of the biggest names in music, Evett’s upcoming tour promises a unique experience for fans of inventive, high-energy rock.
With his latest album Strange Kind of Freedom, Evett showcases his extraordinary skills on the only all-glass fretless Morningstar Glass Guitar in existence, an instrument that amplifies his unique slide and technique-driven style. Joining him on this record are drummer Shane Gaalaas and Grammy-winning bassist Pete Griffin, forming an L.A.-based powerhouse rhythm section that brings Evett’s compositions to life. The album has been mixed and mastered by renowned producer Cory Churko, further elevating the intricate and expansive sounds that define Strange Kind of Freedom.
Evett’s musical resume includes collaborations with legends like Joe Satriani, John Fogerty, Leon Russell, The Allman Brothers Band, and Adrian Belew, among others. This year, he’s had the honor of performing a private recital for Sting and John McLaughlin. Now, Evett is taking his artistry on the road in South Africa, playing venues across the country and bringing his innovative glass fretless guitar to a brand-new audience.
In a statement about the tour, Ned Evett shared his excitement: “I’m beyond excited to bring my glass guitar and new songs to South Africa—it’s about more than just playing music; it’s about connecting, reflecting the raw emotions and stories that make us all human. There’s a powerful spirit in South Africa that has always beckoned to me, and I can’t wait to share this journey, exchanging energy and inspiration with everyone who’s ready to feel it. This tour has deep roots for me. Musical legend Adrian Belew produced my Treehouse album, and he had wonderful stories about recording on Paul Simon’s Graceland album, which made me keen to tour here. I’ll be jamming with a South African backing band in Johannesburg.”
Fans will be treated to Evett’s world-renowned fretless guitar techniques as well as his new album’s dynamic pop/rock songwriting that fuses inventive solos and technical brilliance with raw emotional energy. This is a rare opportunity to see a visionary musician at the top of his craft, pushing the limits of the guitar to new heights.
Tour Dates:
Fri 29 Nov – Jozi’s Showbar, Boundary Park
Tue 3 Dec – The Irish Rock, Radiokop
Wed 4 Dec – Music Inc. Rivonia Recreation Centre
Thu 5 Dec – Milk Bar, Parkmore
Fri 6 Dec – Café Barcelona, Pretoria
Sat 7 Dec – Lock, Stock & Beer, Weltevreden Park
Tue 10 Dec – The Irish Rock, Radiokop
Wed 11 Dec – Workshop TBA
Fri 13 Dec – Copperlake Breweries, Randburg
Wed 18 Dec – Taste of Africa at Sunday River Lodge, Port Elizabeth
Sat 21 Dec – Alma Cafe, Cape Town
Buy / Stream Strange Kind Of Freedom
About Ned Evett
Ned Evett, hailed as “the world’s first fretless guitar rockstar” by Guitar Player magazine, continues to push the boundaries of what is possible on the guitar. His career spans decades, working with top names in the industry and captivating audiences worldwide with his distinctive sound and approach to fretless guitar.
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