South Australian Music Hall of Fame Inducts Jazz Legends Kym Bonython & Kym Purling
Both inductees have made their mark on the South Australian music landscape.
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Two Adelaide jazz legends are being inducted into the South Australian Music Hall of Fame today (26 September).
Kym Bonython AC, AO, DFC, AFC and Kym Purling are being celebrated for their contributions to the South Aussie arts and cultural scene at a Civic Reception at Adelaide Town Hall.
Musician, broadcaster, concert promoter and entrepreneur Kym Bonython will be inducted posthumously for his commitment to the local scene. He was responsible for bringing some of the biggest jazz artists to South Australia, including Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, The Glenn Miller Band, Herbie Mann and Dave Brubeck.
Bonython also brought Chuck Berry to town, was involved in Australian tours by the Beatles, Bob Dylan and Marlene Dietrich and served on the City of Adelaide Council and many arts boards and committees during his life.
The SA Music Hall of Fame will also recognise the ongoing contributions of jazz performer Kym Purling. A graduate of the Elder Conservatorium with a Bachelor of Music and Jazz Studies, he formed the Kym Purling Trio and performed frequently throughout the ‘90s, becoming one of the state’s most prolific and recognisable musicians.
In 1998, Purling moved to Las Vegas, where he performed in showrooms on the famous strip alongside the likes of Frank Sinatra Junior, David Cassidy, Buddy Greco and more.
He returned to Adelaide in 2020 and is in demand as a performer and musical director.
READ MORE: Adelaide Town Hall Hosts the South Australian Music Hall of Fame
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 SA Music Hall of Fame exhibition is held across two levels of Adelaide Town Hall and includes rare memorabilia, archival material, signed guitars, historic sound equipment, photographs and more. Open to the public weekdays between 9am and 5pm, entry is free.
