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What the world has begun to realise is that Elvis Blue resonates with a creative force that ebbs only from the most talented of artists. One simply has to listen to the hauntingly beautiful Things My Father Said or Lighthouse or Save Me, or any of his original compositions for that matter, to realise that you are in the company of greatness.
Balance this divine gift with great humility, a kind heart and the work ethic of Henry Ford and you begin to understand the soul within this artist.
The gifted musician’s journey started when he was a young boy, singing in school choirs, and busking in the streets of Joburg and Scotland. His one and only goal was to make and perform music.
After a stint overseas as a street musician, Elvis returned to South Africa where he decided to study contemporary music.
After appearing in numerous bands Elvis started a project where he sang under the name MONO. He released three albums under this time. When MONO’s record deal came to an end, Elvis decided that he would move to George where he would become a music teacher, write his own music, and live a quiet life.
After spending some time in George, Elvis was approached by a record company who wanted him to record an Afrikaans album. “The first album I did was under the name Jan Hoogendyk, my real name, and the album did really well. It won an ATKV Lier Toekening award. His second Afrikaans album, Ontskemer also under the name Jan Hoogendyk, was nominated for a 2010 SAMA Award.
While living in George he met the friend whose name he would adopt in 2008. “My wife works at an organisation that is a hospice and children’s home and I met this little boy there when I used to go and play my guitar for them.
He really wanted to be a keyboard player, and his name was Elvis Blaauw”, he says. When he passed away in 2009, as a tribute to this amazing young man, Jan Hoogendyk adopted his name and Elvis Blue was born.
In 2010, Elvis Blue won the title of Mnet Idol for that year – sharing half the profit with runner up Lloyd Cele.
Elvis Blue released the album that would change his life as a musician and consolidate all his years of hard work.
This album was simply titled Elvis Blue. On the album’s release in November 2010, it shot up the radio and sales charts and reached Gold status.
The first two singles Things My Father said and Lighthouse were massive hits, and with the third single, Save Me, is currently on playlists across the country.
The album went platinum in late 2011 – with sales in excess of 40 000 units.
Since the release of his album, Elvis has set himself apart as an exceptional performer of live music, using some of the best local musicians to round out his band on stage, insisting on delivering music with depth to audiences across the country.
Elvis is also a dedicated husband and father besides being a world class musician and a household name in South Arica.
Elvis was named an official global ambassador for the 46664 Bangle initiative, and through this opportunity he helps to educate people on the social justice ethos of Mr. Nelson Mandela.
The 46664 Bangle initiative is one of the 46664 Foundation’s key initiatives.
Elvis has also partnered with Bavarian Motorcycles as their BMW motorcycle brand ambassador for the year 2012.
In April 2012, Elvis’ credibility and talent was further acknowledged when he took home the SAMA (South African Music Award) for Best Adult Contemporary Album for the double disc special edition of his self-titled album, Elvis Blue.
The success Elvis Blue over the past few years enabled himself to invest in something very near and dear to his heart – The Elvis Blue Music Academy.
The Academy was started by Elvis to teach underprivileged children the joy of music. The organisation provides instruments and instruction in a safe, warm environment. “Music has the ability to heal,” Elvis says.
“This venture is living proof of that.” The Elvis Blue Music Academy operates in the Western Cape, George and is rolling out in Alexandra in Gauteng in the near future.
Elvis’ success is due to years of hard work, passion and commitment, and even though the path has been long and sometimes never ending, the real journey has only begun now.
There is a lingering feeling of awe when you meet this humble artist. True talent begets respect and admiration. And that’s exactly why Elvis Blue has our country at his feet.
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Heels over Head is an all-female jazz band from the shores of Durban, South-Africa. The love of jazz music weaved these girls together towards to end of 2008 to form this unique musical force.
Since then the girls are always occupied with composing, rehearsing and recording new music and with lots of performances around KwaZulu Natal and the country.
Their music is referred to as smooth jazz or easy-breezy pop jazz, they developed a notable and clever signature sound that consists of current African-influenced music and uniquely re-arranged standards.
The Heels over Head band is known for making the audience get on their feet and dance to their rhythmic bass lines and their cheerful melodies.
With their sparkling stage presence the ladies always look classy and stylish and you cannot miss the charm and charisma of their lead vocalists Thulile Zama and Nomkhosi Mazibuko.
They are joined by skilled drummer Rebekah Pillay and accomplished pianist Mandy Cobbing. Last but not least smoking hot guitarist Chillie Stent joins the band and the flaming fusion of musicians is complete.
No doubt that fans take joy in listening to some Heels over Head; the African jazz ambiance, skilled musicians and vocalists and well-founded rhythm works enchanting.
The line-up is:
The band was founded towards the end of 2008 has grown from strength to strength. Needless to say the sound of the band has grown tremendously in terms of dynamics, arrangements, compositions and performance while still staying true to all their original fans.
Their music is a melting pot with strong elements of jazz, maskandi, reggae, mbhaqanga, classical, RnB and afro styles. Songs like “All the things you are”, “Could it be” and many others performed by these ladies get the crowd off their seats.
Other favourites that’ll keep you humming are “Love Song”, “Inyanza leyo” and “Past,Present,Future”
Their performance skills on stage has won them a number of fans and followers. This energy and passion is what keeps their audience tapping their feet…and not a show goes by that the “vuma”ring doesn’t take over.
The band has performed in venues like The Jazz Centre, Bat centre, ICC, Zulu Jazz Lounge, Durban Exhibition Centre, Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World, The Protea Edward Hotel, The Jazzy Rainbow, Catalina Theater, Inanda FM Roadshow, Alliance Francaise, Bassline and Zack’s.
The Heels over Head band has made their mark in the KZN music scene with their fresh sound and are well on their way to becoming a “house-hold brand”…
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Andy Hadfield is a digital native – he can’t really remember life without the internet. He is fascinated with the impact it is having on our lives, as well as our businesses. Andy is a Business Speaker on IT Trends for the future.
With an entertaining and compelling personality, he speaks with authority and insight about the new shape of life, work and play in our digital world.
Andy’s achievements:
Andy launched his first start-up at the tender age of 19 – getALife. This social network was a political and community mouthpiece for South African students between 1997 – 2005.
This site was covered on every major media platform, including Time Magazine. It also has the dubious honour of being sued by Robert Mugabe.
Andy Hadfield spent the next 7 years, mastering his strategic skills across a wide range of industries, including finance, professional services, construction and media
Andy was also involved with creating South Africa’s first monetised niche social network, DesignMind which drives communication and collaboration across the construction industry.
He helped FNB develop a team to manage their digital strategy across the consumer banking segment.
This included projects such as ‘corporate crowdsourcing’, the bank’s first official Facebook presence, a major overhaul of the consumer website and a world-class ‘Amazon-style’ online sales system – so that consumers can get FNB products in under ten minutes, and not even moving from their couch!
Real Time Wine is a retail discovery engine and consumer review community for the wine industry. It is the mobile application and the social community for everyone who enjoys wine and not just for those who understand it. The product has now been extended into the beer industry, with MyBEER, an innovative collaboration with SAB.
Andy Hadfield is a Business Speaker who will in an energetic manner wow you with IT trends and how we can move forward in business.
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Michael Scholz is an accomplished speaker and has MC’d hundreds of events over the past few years.
He has also assisted a number of auction memorabilia companies with incorporating and auctioning auction items at golf days and fundraising events.
Michael Scholz is a professional golfer and current member of the Sunshine Tour.
In the past, he has competed extensively on a number of the major professional golfing circuits around the world, namely the European Tour, the Asian Tour, the European Challenge Tour and of course, on the South African Sunshine Tour.
Master of Ceremonies
Michael is an accomplished speaker and has MC’d hundreds of events over the past few years.
He has also assisted a number of auction memorabilia companies with incorporating and auctioning auction items at golf days and fundraising events.
He can adapt the genre of the event’s requirements from comedy functions through to formal and gala evenings.
The Show
Typically the trick shot show is around 40 minutes, but can be adapted to be longer or shorter. No less than 30 minutes is required for the full entertainment value to be achieved.
Michael’s trick shot show incorporates various trick shots, including hitting golf balls:
Off a skateboard
Backwards
Left-Handed & Right-Handed
One-Handed
Off One Knee
Off Both Knees
With the back of a Club
Off one Leg
Off a Beer Bottle
Off a cellphone
High Tees
Michael’s show also features various impersonations of some of the world’s legendary golfers, many of whom he has played and socialised with.
The impersonations include Gary Player, Ian Woosnam, David Feherty, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, John Daly, Phil Mickelson and a few others.
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Tracy Going who co-anchored “Morning Live” on SABC2, previously the anchor on GMSA began her radio career in 1992 as the Morning News Anchor for Radio Metro, a position she held for 10 years.
Tracy has been seen on our television screens hosting the following programmes ‘Lebone’, ‘One Step Beyond’, ‘Private and Confidential’ and ‘The Market Report’ on DSTV. She has also anchored evening news on SABC2 and SABC3 in the past.
Whether presenting her motivational presentation or adding a professional touch to any corporate function as an MC, Tracy will ensure a sophisticated and enjoyable flow to your event.
Previous clients include Microsoft, Hullett Packard, Sasol, SAP Computers, Nissan Supplier of the Year Awards, Schneider Technology, Dobermann Media Systems, South Afirican Institute of Chartered Accountants and Plascon.
In 2001 Tracy received the Mother of the Nation Award and was a finalist in the Duku Duku Awards, nominated for the Favourite TV Programme Presenter category. In 1999 she was awarded the Weighless Woman of Substance Award and was named by The Star newspaper as one of the Top 100 people in SA in 1996.
Tracy Going runs her own company offering a courses on personal development with workshops on various topics like, self-image, grooming, television presentation and dealing effectively with the media.
She has written two children’s story-cookbooks. “African Animals – Rhymes & Recipes” was a bestseller. Tracy Going second story-cookbook “Awesome Animals – Rhymes & Recipes” received the prestigious Best in South Africa Gourmand Cookbook Award and second position at the world Gourmand Cookbook Awards at the Paris Cookbook Fair in 2013.
Over the last few years Tracy Going has lectured at AFDA film school in Cape Town but left there to focus on writing her memoir ‘Brutal Legacy.’
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