| THIS IS THE KINDA CV THAT WON'T GET YOU A DAY JOB IN A HURRY: BORN: Durban South Africa in 1969. Raised in the "suburban hell" of Westville. EDUCATION: Matriculated from Westville Boy’s High School with a distinction in Art in 1986. Graduated from Technikon Natal with a NATIONAL HIGHER DIPLOMA IN FINE ART (PAINTING) in 1991. Nominated for Emma Smith Art Scholarship. HOBBIES AND INTERESTS: When not touring or playing I like to relax, paint, write and produce music, get laid and attend Psychedelic Trance parties. 1988 - 1991: Played bass for popular “cult” band UBU ROI, organizing and creating live and recorded music for gigs and/or performances for various Fine Art events and exhibition openings. Played bass for popular teen band UNDERGROUND PRESS on the Lion Lager Road Show at the University of Durban. 1991 -1992: Attended part time lessons in Jazz with Mark Duby at Technikon Natal Music Department. 1992 till 1993: I attended the school of life, learning the art of having an extremely good time, interspersed with running a business manufacturing jewellery and children’s educational toys, and painting and writing songs. Then as life often dictates, it was time to get serious! First professional exhibition at NSA ART GALLERY. Great reviews: “signs of a bright future”. 1993: I hooked up with some jazz musicians and FOOTPRINTS IN THE CATFOOD was formed. From the inevitably quick ashes of the above mentioned, ALMOST BLUE arose, playing elevator style jazz and swing standards for the discerning restaurant patron and/or barfly in Durban and surrounds. During a brief yet insightful hiatus from reality, I played gospel music professionally. A great experience as I learned many styles of gospel ranging from “two steps” to R and B, fusion, rock, contemporary and choral based African/American music. 1994: I was hired by a then unnamed and unknown URBAN CREEP. As history will tell, we were not a happy bunch of campers, yet I am responsible for the bass parts on “Noah”, “Fly” and “Don’t Look Back” on the popular SEA LEVEL cd. http://www.freshmusic.co.za/urban_creep_liner.htm Whilst with “the creeps” we performed the Vita Award winning musical revue THE PIANOMEN (for the first time at the Billboard Theatre in Durban) featuring Tim Wells and Joseph Clarke. 1995: Joined SKIN TRADE, a band playing harder-edged funk and “grunge”. The band proved popular with a younger audience and the demo single “Angerman” found approval on Barney Simon’s show on 5 FM. After a near fatal car crash in the same year, I moved to Johannesburg to join a company called STUDIO TAN AUDIO. A great experience, I learned a wealth of knowledge relating to the professional audio-visual and music recording industry. 1996: Returned “home”. A local studio introduced me to one of its regular session artists and JOL ( Afrikaans word for party, colloquial English slang) was formed. An interesting and successful synthesis of rock and Maskanda with rich soulful vocals, two demo singles “Speak To Me” and “Sengaliwe” were featured on EAST COAST RADIO’S Homemade Jam. Together with Tim Wells, THE TIM WELLS BAND was formed with ex Skin Trade members and JOL. At this time “A Perfect Day” was included on the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund/ East Coast Radio Christmas cd BITS AND PEACES. 1997: Hired by ex FLAMES member STEVE FATAAR for his 14 year old daughter TARA. A highlight was the “Transpotting” show at Durban’s BAT Centre, collaborating with THC, SCOOTER’S UNION, THE FAMOUS CURTAIN TRICK and MIKE SMITH. Also performed with Tara at the C WEED album launch at Durban’s Village Green. Performed first NIGHT OF 100 STARS with Tara and N.P.O. String Quartet. 1998: Joined popular local band TURQUOISE. Recorded an, as yet, unreleased cd, the single “Liar”, which received a little airtime on 5 FM. Recorded THE TIM WELLS BAND cd FALLEN THROUGH THE CRACKS. The singles “Putting the pieces together”, “Say” and “Back again” received airtime on East Coast Radio, SA FM, Radio 2000, P4 Radio and briefly on 5 FM, for which I am credited for original arrangements. Performed CONCERT FEVER to much critical acclaim at the Elisabeth Sneddon Theatre in Durban with Chris Letcher, Martin Sigamoney, Sean Peterson, Nux Schwartz, Karen Van Pletsen, Tim Wells and Joseph Clarke. This same band was Night of 100 Stars backing band, backing amongst others Sibongile Mngoma. Employed by the ever "illustrious" TREVOR HARPER and started the now infamous TINJAM. 1999: Mainly sessioned for The Tim Wells Band, Tinjam and Tara and Steve Fataar. Performed 100 Stars, SUNSET PROMS, Natal Playhouse and functions for BMW South Africa and NBS, the PORTNET MILLENIUM CARNIVAL with Tim Wells, and the ICC MILLENIUM BALL with TINJAM. 2000: Had the pleasure of being hired by PAT MATSHAKISA to play at THE RAINBOW in Pinetown. Performed THE PIANOMEN at the Elisabeth Sneddon Theatre again, with almost an entirely original cast, winning another VITA AWARD. Performed the Centenary edition of the Vita Award winning GOOD VIBRATIONS at The Langoustine by the Sea in Durban. The musical highlight of my career happened when I was asked to play bass for the 30 year FLAMES REUNION at the AWESOME AFRICA Music Festival at Shongweni outside Durban. Original members BLONDIE CHAPLIN (The Band, The Beach Boys, currently The Rolling Stones) myspace.com/blondiechaplin http://www.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQjhHEVWTSY and RICKY FATAAR (currently Bonnie Raitt ) were flown in from Los Angeles to receive an award from the Mayor of Durban. Another added bonus was when PHIL MANZANERA ( Roxy Music) came up on stage to jam with The Flames……. what a rush! THE FLAMES REUNION GIG 2000 Travelled to Cape Town to perform the THE GUITAR THAT ROCKED THE WORLD at the Nico Malan Theatre. 2001: Returned to Durban to continue THE GUITAR THAT ROCKED THE WORLD ROADSHOW at the Elisabeth Sneddon Theatre, winning a VITA AWARD. Employed as a SOUND ENGINEER at THE NATAL PLAYHOUSE for DE WET WRAIGHT’S popular show SWOON, featuring Dawn Selby. Recorded The Tim Wells Band’s second cd ELEPHANT. 2002: Performed CONCERT FEVER 2 to good revues in Durban and at Sun City. 2003 till current: Music is just a hobby now, and I am concentrating on the visual side of things at the moment, as well as producing my own music. |
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