Introduction
Wouter Kellerman (born 20 September 1961) is a Grammy Award-winning South African flautist, producer and composer who has won six South African Music Awards. Using his classical training as a foundation, Kellerman has focused his attention on World and Roots music, exploring the versatility of the instrument and fusing classical and contemporary sounds.
Kellerman received a Grammy Award at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards for his 2014 album Winds of Samsara, a collaboration with Indian composer and producer Ricky Kej. Winds of Samsara reached No. 1 on the US New Age Album Billboard Charts and also peaked at No. 1 on the ZMR (Zone Music Reporter) Top 100 Radio Airplay Chart in the month of July 2014.
Kellerman’s latest album 'Love Language’ (2015) received a Grammy® Nomination for 'Best Contemporary Instrumental Album', and won a SAMA for 'Best Instrumental and/or Classical Album'. It debuted at nr. 1 on the World Music Billboard charts in July 2015. This album also featured at No. 1 on the ZMR Top 100 International Radio Airplay Chart in August 2015, and spent 11 weeks in the CMJ New World Top 40 Chart, peaking at nr. 12.
Kellerman's albums were mixed by Grammy Award–winning sound engineer S. Husky Höskulds and have been released in South Africa, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Australia, Taiwan and the US.
Performance Highlights
Kellerman's flute-playing can be heard on the soundtrack of the Emmy Award-winning film Eye of the Leopard.
Philanthropy
Kellerman has sponsored the living expenses of 10 children in the SOS Children's Village in Ennerdale, South Africa for the past 15 years and has also financed the building of a house in the SOS Children's Village in Rustenburg. For his continued efforts in helping give these children a better life, Kellerman was nominated by the SOS Children's Villages for the 2007 Inyathelo Special Recognition Award for Philanthropy. He continues to facilitate the teaching of young dance and music students.
Wouter is a Musical Ambassador for Project Peace on Earth
Nominations and awards
| Year | Recipient | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Wouter Kellerman | Inyathelo Special Recognition Award for Philanthropy | Nominated | |
| 2008 | Wouter Kellerman | South African Music Award (SAMA) for 'Colour' - 'Best Instrumental Album' | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Wouter Kellerman | SAMA for 'Best Instrumental/Jazz/popular Classical DVD)' for 'Live In Mzansi' | Won | |
| 2011 | Wouter Kellerman | SAMA for 'Best Instrumental Album' for 'Two Voices' | Won | |
| 2013 | Wouter Kellerman | Vox Pop IMA (Independent Music Award) for Best World Beat Album for 'Mzansi' | Won | |
| 2014 | Wouter Kellerman | HMMA (Hollywood Music in Media Awards): World Music and New Age | Nominated | |
| 2014 | Wouter Kellerman / Ricky Kej | 57th Annual Grammy® Award for Best New Age Album for 'Winds Of Samsara' | Won | |
| 2015 | Wouter Kellerman / Ricky Kej | SAMA for 'Best Instrumental Album' for 'Winds Of Samsara' | Won | |
| 2015 | Wouter Kellerman / Ricky Kej | SAMA for 'Best Producer of the Year' for 'WInds of Samsara' | Won | |
| 2015 | Wouter Kellerman / Ricky Kej | SAMA for 'Best International Achievement' | Won | |
| 2015 | Wouter Kellerman | ZMR award for Best World Album for 'Winds Of Samsara' | Won | |
| 2015 | Wouter Kellerman | ZMR award for Album Of The Year for 'Winds Of Samsara' | Won | |
| 2016 | Wouter Kellerman | 58th Grammy® Award for 'Best Contemporary Instrumental Album' for 'Love Language' | Nominated | |
| 2016 | Wouter Kellerman | ZMR award for Best World Album for 'Love Language' | Nominated | |
| 2016 | Wouter Kellerman | SAMA for 'Best Instrumental and/or Classical Album' for 'Love Language' | Won | |
| 2016 | Wouter Kellerman | Global Peace Song Award in the public voted Acoustic/ Contemporary Music category | Won |
Albums
- Colour (2007)
- Two Voices (2010)
- Half Moon (2012)
- Mzansi (2013)
- Winds of Samsara (2014)
- Love Language (2015)