If a song has the ability to stop or start a party, then finding the right wedding entertainment needs to be a careful consideration, not a last-minute decision. Christine Hogg has sourced some wedding entertainers who can turn any celebration into a night to remember.
THE DELIVERY BOYS
Founded by award-winning RnB artist Ferdy Ferd, The Delivery Boys perform motown music with a modern twist. The vocal ensemble is made up of skilled musicians, who have penned hits for local artists such as Mandoza and ProVerb, and are known to deliver unique entertainment. With a background in musical theatre, their energetic stage personas aim to redefine the conventional cover band experience through fusing contemporary genres with the timeless musicality of 1970s songs. They have performed across the world, in countries such as Dubai, Spain and Morocco and consider themselves “curious, innovative and fearless creative entrepreneurs”.
Website: The Delivery Boys | Email: [email protected]
Genre: motown
Instruments: vocals
THE MUSES
The Muses are a group of musicians who promise to “take any sensible situation and turn it into a sensational night to remember”. Made up of two violins, a viola and a cello, the quartet performs arrangements of Miriam Makeba’s ‘Pata Pata’ or Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’, adding a classical touch to contemporary genres. Since their journey started in 2011, they have toured all over South Africa, performing for brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, as well as The Spring Summer Guess Fashion Show and the 2013 UEFA Champions League Heineken Mansions series. With gigs up to six times a week, The Muses are busy musicians who are used to playing venues of any size and have several performance options (including a laser show!) on offer, making sure each set is special.
Website: www.themuses.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 011 722 0500
Genre: pop, rock, classical
Instruments: two violins, a viola and a cello
JUDE HARPSTAR
Jude Harpstar is an award-winning singer, harpist and pianist, who has travelled the world performing at festivals and private events in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, South Africa, America and Ghana. Locally, she has worked with Gregory Porter, Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse, Sibongile Khumalo, Toya Delazy and Joseph Clark. She is considered ‘a chameleon’ on stage, for her mesmerising ‘melodies and movements’ as well as unique outfits. Although she has been an active orchestral harpist with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra since the age of 15, she considers solo performance to be an important part of her career. Paul Boekkooi, arts journalist, theatre reviewer and music critic, has described Jude as “arguably the most versatile, and both technically and musically, one of the most inspiring harpists”. Jude Harpstar is available for all types of events.
Website: www.judeharpstar.biz | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 079 246 0444
Genre: “multigenre-ist”
Instruments: vocals, harp, piano
THE RUNAWAY TRAIN CULT
The Runaway Train Cult is made up of acclaimed South African musicians whose attitude is that they are there for the audience, not the other way around. As an offshoot of Afrikaans Roots band, Radio Kalahari Orkes, the band is influenced by New Orleans swing, Gypsy jazz, Appalachian and Americana. Incorporating instruments associated with these genres, such as violin, guitars, upright bass, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, accordion, brass, pedal steel guitar and percussion, they cover – or as the band puts it – “uncover” songs going back as early as the 1900s. The Runaway Train Cult also re-composes or “de-composes” contemporary songs in a Gypsy, Appalachian or swing style, and recently added hip hop and soul to their repertoire.
Website: www.runawaytraincult.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 073 306 6405
Genre: New Orleans swing, Gypsy jazz, Appalachian, Americana, hip hop and soul
Instruments: violin, guitars, upright bass, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, accordion, brass, pedal steel guitar and percussion
URBAN STRINGS
Offering electric and acoustic options, set ups for violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, guitar, piano and vocals, Urban Strings is made up of 15 talented and diverse musicians from South Africa. The group is fronted by vocalist, violinist and multi-disciplinary creative Larah Eksteen, and is said to exude a distinctive sound and authentic ambiance. As a glam electronica act, they fuse electronica, urban, live strings, neo-jazz and downtempo grooves, subverting conventions of a traditional string collective. To make sure their sound stays fresh and fluid, members regularly collaborate with diverse South African artists, which in the past have included ProVerb, RJ Benjamin, Swing City, Loyiso Bala, The Graeme Watkins Project and Donald Moatshe.
Website: www.urbanstrings.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 076 651 2433
Genre: contemporary, classical, African, jazz and fusion
Instruments: violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, guitar, piano and vocals
LEMON ‘N LIMELIGHT
Lemon ‘n Limelight is an experienced corporate function band offering a wide repertoire ranging from chilled background music to golden oldies and recent party hits. The collective talent of this group of musicians is evident in their performance and the great response they receive from their corporate audiences. They offer true entertainment from start to finish.
Website: Lemon ‘n Limelight | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 082 814 1208
Genre: easy listening jazz, pop, reggae, latin, rock ‘n roll and a touch of soul
Instruments: vocals, guitar, percussion
