LIGHT YEARS

Based in Johannesburg

Light Years, founded by Avzal Ismail, represent the cutting-edge of musical excellence in the contemporary South African music arena. We are not merely a service, but a special brand of service excellence. Their sole aim is to make your event a truly memorable one by providing you with the very best entertainment available.

This truly world class group specializes in Smooth Jazz, both Modern and African. It also features a mainstream jazz, fusion, Latin / Afro-Cuban and dance repertoire capable of exceeding the demands of any event, function or concert environment.

The band made history by being the first Jazz group from South Africa to tour Eastern Europe, with appearances in Moscow, Prague, Gdynia, Warsaw and Budapest. Wherever they performed, they received considerable critical acclaim.

Individually, each member of the group has also performed both nationally and internationally

Not only does the group’s repertoire cover a large range of contemporary and sophisticated styles, but Light Years is also particularly adept at handling background music of a more “complimentary” nature, where volume and ambience are a prime consideration. The band also, wherever possible, supply their own backline equipment at no additional cost.

The musicians who make up the group are all prime players in their field and have a vast range of experience in both the live, television and recording environment. They have featured with the likes of Vicky Sampson, Laurika Rauch, Johnny Clegg, Mango Groove, Ritchie Cole, The Soweto String Quartet, Chris De Burgh, Helmut Lotti, Andy Narrell and both the Johannesburg Festival and National Orchestras.

Each individual member of the group has also worked with numerous top international artists both in South Africa and abroad. Members of the band also formed part of the Jerry Springer Saturday Night house band.

The core of The Band comprises of some of the most sought after musicians in South Africa:

Avzal Ismail has worked with a host of top international names, including acclaimed violinist Regina Carter, Donald Harrison, Carl Andersen, Professor James Houlik, Bhakhithi Khumalo and many more. He also composed and performed the finalé for the opening ceremony of the World Summit for Sustainable Development which was held in Johannesburg. Avzal performed at the first inauguration banquet for President Thabo Mbeki.

Neil Ettridge is one of the most accomplished drummers on the music scene today. He is a regular contributor to the SA Drummer magazine and heads up the Drum Lab from where he teaches, in addition to his countless live, studio and television appearances. He recently achieved a South African first by having his own signature series drum sticks endorsed by Pro Mark USA.

Denis Lalouette is the premier bassist to hail from this country. He is a first call sideman for just about every artist locally and has also worked with top international names such as Andy Narell, Airto and Flora Purim and Joe Henderson, to name just a few.

Brendan Ross is recognised as one of the top saxophonists in South Africa. Some of the artists that he has worked with, either live or in a studio environment, include: Johnny Clegg (SA), Ladysmith Black Mambazo (SA), Peter Gabriel (UK), Mathys Roets (SA) as well as many other top artists.

The group can be expanded into the 10 piece Latin Fire band. Latin Fire specialises in Cuban and Brazilian music and performs only as a show band. This includes a 3 piece horn section as well as a percussionist.

The group has a high impact 50-minute Latin/salsa show, featuring Véronique Lalouette, that is unique to South Africa. The show consists of traditional Latin salsa tunes as well as modern Latino hits, consisting of Cuban, Brazilian and Latin pop

Some of the band's clients include:
Dimension Data
Major Productions (sub contract)
Hewlett-Packard  
Hands On Productions (sub contract)
The President's Cup Golf (Fancourt)  
Siemens The Million Dollar Golf Tournament  
Eskom
The Altron Group  
Lucent Technologies
Afro-Arab Trade Affair  
Musicon Productions
Alpha Cement  
ABSA
The Events Company (sub contract)  
Nedbank
360 Degrees (sub contract)  
SCMB
The Presidential Inauguration Banquet  
Standard Bank
Oracle  
Toyota
Freightliner Trucking (launch)  
Volkswagen
The Mad Hatter (sub contract)  
Johannesburg Stock Exchange
Microsoft SA  
Vodacom
British American Tobacco SA  
The International Veterinary Science Ass.
L'Oreal  
World Summit for Sustainable Development
The Mason Company (sub contract)  
Commonwealth Games - Malaysia 1998
The Emperor's Palace  
Tourism South Africa
About Entertainment (sub contract)  
Entertainment Africa (sub contract)
Shell  
Engen