Cape Town musician Sebastian Petersen, who heads the Sebastian Petersen Jazz Collective, says there is no bad blood when it comes to his ex-wife and former band mate Celeste Petersen as they plan to team up after 10 years, taking the stage together again as a collective.
The duo, who met while in the jazz music fraternity, got hitched in 2010 and had a daughter.
They performed at various venues in and around Cape Town and were well known in the entertainment industry.
But over time, things got rocky and the couple split in 2016.
The musicians remained friends over the years for the sake of their now teenage daughter.
For Sebastian, 50, from Manenberg, and Celeste, 41, from Silvertown, the onstage reunion marks a past working relationship on and off stage.
A popular jazz guitarist, Sebastian, said: “Things were not always pleasant after our divorce, but we realised that we’re raising a child and while we got divorced from each other, we did not divorce being parents. We put our differences aside and learnt to co-parent our child. Co-parenting is not easy, but when you start focusing on what is important, you make it work.”
Sebastian added: “The collab came about when I approached her to perform with me after nearly 10 years.
“When I asked Celeste to join me and do the performance, I never thought she would say yes, but she did.
“Our love for the music industry shows that even as a divorced couple there are things you can still enjoy with one another. Music is our connection. Celeste is a brilliant musician, she can entertain young and old with her various musical genres.
“She is a shy person, and always tries to avoid the public, but when she performs you will never say she is shy.”
Celeste agrees that the chemistry of music is what makes it easy for them to get onstage together again.
“I’m looking forward to performing with Sebastian and the band again after nearly a decade of performing apart. We see each other almost every day because we have a daughter and we have worked our way to a good understanding. Above all, the music will always be our connection.”
Fans and followers of yesteryear and current are urged to support the duo in their upcoming show on August 25 at the DNA Café for a Sunday Luncheon Jazz featuring the Sebastian Petersen Jazz Collective.
Accompanying the collective are the talented Celeste Petersen, Nigel Matanga, Donovan de Villiers, and Isaac Jones.
The venue is situated at Langverwacht Mall in Kuils River
Tickets are priced at R210 and include a two-course traditional Sunday lunch.