Early Years:
I’ve been smacking the ivories since the age of 3, started formal classical training at 8, and obtained my Royal Schools piano grade 8 in my final school year, repeatedly securing the academic prize for music (and English).
Tertiary Education Summary:
2002: Completed my first year Diploma in Youth Counseling & Theology, and went on a tour to Houston, Texas with my band.
2003-2004: Jazz studies at SCC. Top achiever each year.
2005-2007: Jazz and Popular Music at Tshwane University of Technology. Received SAMRO Bursary for academic excellence in 2006.
2008-2009: Transferred credits to UKZN to further studies and strengthen qualification.
2014: Returned to UKZN after 4 years’ successful gigs in Dubai to complete final semester of BPrac Mus.
Gigs, South Africa, 2005 - 2009:
Played in numerous bands since 2005. Represented TUT at the Soweto Jazz Festival in 2007 with funk band, winning a recording contract + national battle-of-the-bands. Shared the stage with Abdullah Ibrahim and Sibongile Khumalo for Handel’s Messiah in 2004. Appeared on Go-Zone TV and Morning Live. Had a jazz line-up for corporate functions which performed for the South African president. Was keyboardist and keytar-player for Heels Over Head who won the national Yamaha Young Talent Competition and was nominated for multiple SAMA awards.
Hotel Gigs and Residencies, UAE, 2010 - 2014:
Performed 1000s of professional live shows, as solo artist and/or musical director on piano/keys & vocals, in scores of 4 & 5-star venues. Some include:
The Address Hotel, Dubai Marina [3 years]
Bonnington Hotel, JLT, Dubai [3 years]
Blue Bar at Novotel DWTC, Dubai [18 months]
Amwaj Rotana, Dubai [1 year]
Kempinski Hotel, MOE, Dubai [6 months]
Capital Club Dubai [6 months]
Movenpick Hotel, Palm Jumeirah Dubai [6 months]
Atlantis, Palm Jumeirah Dubai [6 months]
Marco Pierre White Grill at The Conrad Hotel, Dubai [6 months]
McGettigan’s SZR, Dubai [6 months]
Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, Dubai [3 months]
Gramercy at DIFC Dubai [3 months]
Sheraton Dubai Marina [3 months]
South Africa, 2014 - 2016:
The Elangeni Hotel, Durban [3 years]
Silversea, 2017:
Silver Spirit, Jun - Oct [4 months]
