South African Cricket Players: A Nel

A Nel Biography

Born 23 November 1977 – the year Elvis Presley died…

Aaron Nel’s singing career started at age 4 when asked to constantly sing at pre-school productions, social braais etc. He grew up in the sprawling metropolis of Marble Hall on the world famous Springbok Vlakte, about 50kms from Potgietersrus… so television work was not an option, and he was not about to become a child star.

Aaron’s career continued to blossom, and took a turbo charge when he started playing guitar at age 10. “This is cool, sounds much better than just singing alone!” He thought,(in Afrikaans, of course). When faced with the gruelling decision of what to study and, therefore, do for the rest of his life… he chose to study music. This he did at Natal Technicon in 1996, where he completed two years of the ‘Light Music’ course. His guitar playing improved tremendously, and he performed many solo gigs, as well as with bands in and around Durban and as far north as Richards Bay. A serious Durban guitarist, Gordon Jackson, took him under his wing in 1999, and the band ‘The Buttugly Flowers’ was formed. The band included legendary Durban Bass man Errol ( Smelly ) Fellows, who is now Dan Patlansky’s permanent bass player. Certain songs he had written were performed with much success around Durbs… probably most memorable was their opening slot for the touring BOO!

In 2000, Aaron moved up to Tzaneen in the Limpopo Province and worked as producer, and sound engineer at a studio named, Aviv Studio Productions for 3 and a half years. During this time a 10 song album was recorded, of which the title track “The Call” is still being playlisted on radio stations around our Rainbow Nation. Another single, ‘Jesus Saviour’ has since been released and is also playlisted.

In 2003 Aaron moved back to Durban. His activities in and around Durban include:

• Forming the showcase band ‘The Groove’, in 2006. Writing instrumental jazz tunes as well as recording, producing and releasing the album ‘Jazz Evolution’. No singles have yet been released to Radio. ‘The Groove’ has performed extensively on the Cafe and Club scene in Durban at venues like ‘The Jazzy Rainbow’ in Goble Rd. and ‘St. Tropez’ in the trendy Essenwood Rd.

• Performing as a session player, with guys like Nick Engel, Bruce Baker and Logan Byrne (ex Landscape Prayers).

• Performing solo. This has become Aaron’s main thrust of late. He has produced ‘backing tracks’ with strong guitar influences which he performs at venues around Durban. His most thrilling gig came when he was asked to perform for the touring All Black side, with their recent Tri-Nations test in Durban. It was an all exclusive event, and since he is a big rugby fan, a memorable one indeed!! This took place at ‘Havana Grill’ at the Suncoast Casino. He had easy conversations with some of the world’s top sportsmen, and they are really nice guys, easy to chat to – they looove The Eagles and Bob Dylan!! So nice to hear a bunch of rugby players singing the night away… from beginning to end!!

• In April 2008 Aaron had the awesome priviledge of touring with Melanie Lowe, backing her on guitar with Durban muso legend Andy Turrell on bass. A great experience of forging friendships with great names in the industry, including Adventure Music, Alan Liebowitz etc… friendships he am still grateful for everyday!

• Released and performed his first solo album “Jump the Traffic” at Spleshy Fen 2008. The stage sound manager bought an album from him personally as he came off the stage, and this regularly positive feedback from audiences, after hearing his original compositions, especially, has been a great encouragement for him… Aaron regularly sells up to 5 “Jump The Traffic” albums at unassuming venues like restaurants, coffee shops, sports clubs etc…

• Joined the Dockyard Theatre, in Durban’s Musgrave Centre, in August 2008. He took on the role of “singing guitarist” in variuos productions. They were

• “British Invasion”

• “Tribute to the Eagles”

• “Eric Clapton and Friends”

• “Let’s get this Party Started”

During these performances he met some more awesome people, 2 of whom he have since collaborated with at an astoundingly long list of premiere Durban Venues since January 2009. Song writing, co writing, arranging and recording, 2009 had been an incredibly busy year! Various projects on the go, and desperately wanting to record his original material with the right people! Performing in the local scene at acoustic gigs like the NSA Art Gallery in Durban and the Mtunzini Music Festival on the Kwa Zulu Natal north coast.

• Besides the above, he have performed for various wedding ceremonies, receptions, exclusive birthday parties, corporate functions, pubs, restaurants etc

• In 2009 he formed a production company with his wife called Vintage Productions SA, this is to mainly promote and produce various stage productions, Aaron’s own music as well as promote local artists whom he performs with. Shows already devised: Vintage Rocks! And a tribute show called “Sting/Adams and U2”.

• In 2009 he also became a part of a duo called Graffiti Bridge with well known Durban singer Shanthan Pillay – together we performed originals and covers opening for Barry Hilton and Dozi in Pietermaritzburg.

• Singer/guitarist for Barnyard Productions – Rocking All Over the World, Feb/March 2010 Vereeniging.

• May 2010 – A Tribute to Sting, Adams and U2 – Izulu Theatre, Sibaya. Musical Director, lead Guitar and all Bryan Adams Vocals as well as backing vocals

• May 2010 – UNCOVERED, 27-30 May – Rowan Stuart and Aaron performed, as the title suggests, original music only.

• July 2010 – Vintage Rocks! Singer/Guitarist and Musical Director. The Pumpkin Theatre Club, Ballito

• Aug/Sept/Oct 2010 – Diamonds and Pearls – 2 weeks Barnyard Vereeniging, 1 week Zimbabwe and 6 weeks Sun City – Lead Guitarist

• Oct/Nov 2010– A Tribute to Sting/Adams and U2. Lead Guitarist – Bryan Adams(songs) – Vocals. Musical Director. The Pumpkin Theatre Club, Ballito

• Dec 2010/Jan 2011 – Born 2B Wild, Singer, Guitarist and Musical Director. The Pumpkin Theatre Club, Ballito

• 2 Nights Born 2B Wild , 2011– at the Westville Theatre Club Venue.

* 2 Nights Born 2B Wild – Woodcutter’s Warehouse, 31 Mar and 1 Apr 2011

• Various solo gigs

* Currently working on “Memoirs: The music of Simon and Garfunkel”

Contact me at southafricanism@gmail.com, or on Face Book – Aaron Nel…

079 188 4499

All the best… and let’s meet up!