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BRENDAN ROSS (Keys / Sax / Vocals)

Brendan was schooled in Port Elizabeth where he began studying music. By the age of 13 he was performing at restaurants with his fathers band "The Sapphires".

At 17 he wrote and recorded two songs for Radio Algoa that were used as "signature" tunes. Later that year he won the prize for "best talent" at the Eastern Capes 'On The Go Show'.

In 1992 he relocated to Pretoria and joined the South African Air force band where he stayed for some years while playing with many other artists and studying light music part time at the Pretoria Technicon. In 1995 he took some time off from the SANDF and attended Berklee College of music in Boston U.S.A where he completed the Berklee performance program and was awarded a scholarship. He began working with a local jazz band called Light Years.

1998 he was invited to play at the Commonwealth games in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia with the Vusi Khumalo band.

In 2000 he joined Johnny Clegg's band as their saxophonist, backing vocalist and later, keyboardist. With Clegg, Brendan enjoyed extensive travels to all corners of the globe, giving him the opportunity to play at very prestigious events, sharing the stage with very well-respected artists and perform in front of very large audiences, the largest of which was headlining the opening of the Montreal Jazz festival main stage for a live audience of 125 000 people. Some other highlights with the Clegg band have been playing at the 46664 HIV/AIDS awareness concerts in Tromso (Norway) and George (South Africa), Madiba's 80th birthday, performing with Peter Gabriel, Brian May of Queen, Annie Lennox and the Corrs to mention a few.

In 2006 he set up a recording studio where he wrote, recorded and produced the channel logo music for SABC Africa. In 2007 he formed a joint venture and Co-wrote, recorded and produced SABC 3 Theme music with business partner Concord Nkabinde, as well as SABC 1 TV series Soul Buddyz and Soul City (seasons 9,10 and 11).

Brendan, as a keyboardist and sax player, has done numerous live and recorded television and DVD performances over the years with many top artists from South Africa. From Afro Café to "Dis my Storie", to "Deur die Mukke" (2007 & 2008), to Gospel Skouspel (2008-2011), to "Bring Jou Hart" and "Hart vol Drome" with top sellers Theuns Jordaan and Juanita DuPlessis.

In 2010 Brendan released his first solo record to great critical acclaim, which features many of the top musicians the country has to offer.

Some of the many diverse artists that he has worked with in either live or studio environments include:

Johnny Clegg (SA), Ladysmith Black Mambaso (SA), Peter Gabriel (UK), Brain May (of Queen UK), Concord Nkabinde (SA), Dan Siegel (USA), Robbie Jansen (SA), Soweto string quartet (SA), Vikki Sampson (SA), Theuns Jordaan (SA), Vusi Maglasela (SA), The National Symphony Orchestra (SA), Claire Johnston of Mango Groove (SA), Juanita Duplessis (SA), Steve Hoffmeyer (SA), Dozy (SA), Robin Walsh (SA), Lionel Bastos (SA), Kate Normington (SA/UK), Laurika Rauch (SA), Mathys Roets (SA), Vusi Khumalo (SA), Anna Davel (SA), V.(idols finalist SA), the late TK (SA), Sipho Mchunu(SA), Jennifer Jones (SA). Karen Zoid (SA), Nianell (SA), Bok van Blerk(SA), Robbie Wessels(SA), Kurt Darren(SA), Eden(SA), Romanz(SA), Bobby van Jaarsveld(SA).

 

 

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Band Biographies:

Andy Innes
MD / Guitars / Mandolin / Vox

Mandisa Dlanga
Backing Vox

Trevor Donjeany
Bass / Vox

Barry Van Zyl
Drums

Bongani Masuku
Backing Vox

Brendan Ross
Keyboards / Sax / Vox