South Easter Trio
South Easter Trio
 
This group, apart from being able to do standard jazz repertoire is capable of playing a wide variety of dance music styles such as rock 'n roll, Latin, Cape Malay, music for Jewish weddings, waltzes, sambas etc. They also play Italian music, French, Portuguese and many more.
 
Ian Alexander does double duty as drummer and vocalist. Virtually any country's national anthem can be played at a function if required. Gary Hendrickse , Pianist - Gary gained experience in his early years playing with local dance bands from the Cape Flats and District 6 who specialised in playing music peculiar to the Western Cape, especially Cape Town.
 
He eventually did jazz studies with the Berkley College of Music, Boston , USA and classical piano studies at the University of Cape Town . He still continues to play local music in addition to the wide repertoire he has at his disposal. Jimmy Adams , Alto saxophone - Jimmy is considered to be one of the pioneers of the local music scene. He studied music with the American School of Music.
 
Although he has been influenced by the jazz greats his playing style has a distinctively Cape Town flavour. In his early years he worked frequently with Abdullah Ebrahim (then known as Dollar Brand). He had his own big band for which he wrote his own arrangements. He has toured the Republic extensively and has performed in the neighbouring states. He has performed at the Grahams' Town Festival and has recently performed with Abdullah Ebrahim again.
 
He led a group the Cape Jazz Quartet playing at the Green Dolphin for a number of years (with Gary Hendrickse on piano). The staff at the Green Dolphin nicknamed them "The Originals". He also has a wide musical knowledge, which transcends a wide variety of musical styles.
 
Gary Kriel - Bass guitar - Gary started out as a guitarist and eventually switched to bass guitar. In his early years he played extensively with bands from the Cape Flats and District 6. Whilst he is capable of playing a wide variety of styles he plays cape style music with a "druk" (in jazz terms: laying down a groove).
 
He has played on passenger liners calling at ports in North and South America , was resident at the Royal Swazi Hotel for a number of years, has performed with Abdullah Ebrahim on a number of occasions. He has also played with many different bands from rock 'n roll to langarm to German Oompah to Latin and many more.
 
Ian Alexander , Drums - Ian has also gained extensive experience playing with local bands from the Cape Flats and District 6. Whilst he is able to play a wide variety of styles of music, he specializes in playing local music. He has performed all over the republic and in Brazil and Argentina . He also does vocals for the group. The South Easter Band will blow up a storm at your function! Their vocalist is well known Cape Jazz singer Soi Soi.
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