During December, audiences flocked to 38 Special Gallery as Trudy Rushin officially launched her solo career with a summer series of live performances hosted by DALA FLAT MUSIC.

On Fridays December 9, 16 and 23, songstress Trudy Rushin performed with Cape Town's incomparable jazz great, Hilton Schilder, treating audiences to a taste of her life, from sweet songs like Chocolate Guitar, dedicated to her children, to the heart-breakingly beautiful I Don't Know Why. Her songs that range from bossanova-style jazz to folk compositions, all tinged with tales of her life and love.

Many who had only heard Trudy's original compositions, had only heard versions brought to life through Trudy's gorgeous, easy voice accompanied by guitar, but they were in for a surprise as Hilton seemed to uncover another layer in each song, accompanying Trudy on guitar, piano, khoi mouth bow, melodica and a range of other exotic instruments.

Trudy, the daughter of accomplished opera singer, May Abrahamse, has been playing and teaching music for many years and only recently started performing her original compositions. Her first stint at professional music was with keyboard player, Eddie Petersen, as part of a duo called Flipside (1989-1990). She also sang various outfits including Deadline, Just Us, and Splash. In 1998 she performed with Merton Barrow on keyboards, Alvin Dyers on guitar, Charles Lazar on electric bass and double bass, Denver Ferness on drums and Jeff Geffen on percussion at the Jazzathon at the V & A Waterfront.

Hilton, born into the infamous Schilder dynasty, is a musical genius who has been a cornerstone of many musical outfits including the Goema Captains of Cape Town, the Genuines, Sons of Table Mountain - and more recently RockArt, with Alex van Heerden.