Al Paton
Encyclopedia
Al Paton, singer-songwriter, producer and percussionist was born in Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe) in 1975 to British parents. He grew up in Rhodesia, South Africa and Namibia and developed a fondness for music and the piano early on. He graduated from high school at Woodridge College in 1992 and went on to study commerce at Rhodes University.
His first band was formed in 1990 with Springbok sprinter Glen Elferink and the late Brendan Murphy while still at school. In university his band was supported by the likes of Springbok Nude Girls
and supported Johnny Clegg, while their drummer, Andrew Wessels later joined the band Cassette (South African band)
.
Returning to Namibia, Paton formed the band Desert Velvet which won the NBC Music Makers Award and the Stage Magazine Recording Sponsorship. Two of the bands recordings, 'Ghost in the Ceiling' and 'Get Out The Water' appeared on the South African television show Going Nowhere Slowly
. Another member of that band, Yves Dei-Cont, went on to join Fahrenheit (SA band).
Subsequently Paton started working for interactive drumming company Drum Cafe teaching African drumming and djembe
, performing for President Thabo Mbeki
and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Since then he has performed in South Africa, Denmark, England, Estonia, Italy, Finland, France, Hungary, Morocco, Namibia, Russia, Scotland, Spain, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Wales.
Early in 2008, his song "Matchstick Man", co-written with Desert Velvet and produced by Chris Acker, reached the top 40 pop rock charts on Garageband.com and received a number of accolades, amongst them Top 15 Lyrics of all-time in pop-rock.
In August of that year, two of his songs made the top 20 of the Vivacious Voice National Songwriting Contest - 'Peachy' at number 6 and 'Always' (with the band Desert Velvet) at number 19.
In 2008 Paton also co-wrote lyrics for the Western Cape's National cricket team song (the Cape Cobras
), with his mother, Lesley Paton. The song was produced by Gabi Le Roux (Mandoza, Jack Hammer) with executive producer Clive Ridgeway (Judith Sepuma).
Paton currently lives in London, where he continues to perform.
His first band was formed in 1990 with Springbok sprinter Glen Elferink and the late Brendan Murphy while still at school. In university his band was supported by the likes of Springbok Nude Girls
Springbok Nude Girls
The Springbok Nude Girls is a rock band from Cape Town, South Africa.An alternative rock band, the Nude Girls introduced punk, ska, acid jazz and metal into their songs, introducing a new world of music to the youth of South Africa in the early 1990s.They played their first big gig in September...
and supported Johnny Clegg, while their drummer, Andrew Wessels later joined the band Cassette (South African band)
Cassette (South African band)
Cassette is a South African rock band.The band won a South African Music Award in the Best Rock Album category in 2007 for their debut album Welcome Back To Earth. They were also nominated for two other categories, including the Best Group category...
.
Returning to Namibia, Paton formed the band Desert Velvet which won the NBC Music Makers Award and the Stage Magazine Recording Sponsorship. Two of the bands recordings, 'Ghost in the Ceiling' and 'Get Out The Water' appeared on the South African television show Going Nowhere Slowly
Going Nowhere Slowly
Going Nowhere Slowly is a South African travel-oriented television series directed by David Moore. It follows two regular characters, Vivienne Vermaak and Stuart Taylor, who travel to locales throughout Southern Africa in an old towncar...
. Another member of that band, Yves Dei-Cont, went on to join Fahrenheit (SA band).
Subsequently Paton started working for interactive drumming company Drum Cafe teaching African drumming and djembe
Djembe
A djembe also known as jembe, jenbe, djbobimbe, jymbe, yembe, or jimbay, or sanbanyi in Susu; is a skin-covered drum meant played with bare hands....
, performing for President Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is a South African politician who served two terms as the second post-apartheid President of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008. He is also the brother of Moeletsi Mbeki...
and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Since then he has performed in South Africa, Denmark, England, Estonia, Italy, Finland, France, Hungary, Morocco, Namibia, Russia, Scotland, Spain, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Wales.
Early in 2008, his song "Matchstick Man", co-written with Desert Velvet and produced by Chris Acker, reached the top 40 pop rock charts on Garageband.com and received a number of accolades, amongst them Top 15 Lyrics of all-time in pop-rock.
In August of that year, two of his songs made the top 20 of the Vivacious Voice National Songwriting Contest - 'Peachy' at number 6 and 'Always' (with the band Desert Velvet) at number 19.
In 2008 Paton also co-wrote lyrics for the Western Cape's National cricket team song (the Cape Cobras
Cape Cobras
The Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras often shortened to Cape Cobras or Cobras is the name used since the 2005–06 season by the combined Western Province and Boland first class cricket teams in South African domestic cricket. The joint Western Province and Boland team was named Western Province Boland for...
), with his mother, Lesley Paton. The song was produced by Gabi Le Roux (Mandoza, Jack Hammer) with executive producer Clive Ridgeway (Judith Sepuma).
Paton currently lives in London, where he continues to perform.
Discography
- Just Encasement - East London Sessions (1994)
- Desert Velvet - Recorded at The Warehouse, Windhoek, Namibia (1997)
- Desert Velvet - Mars Demo (2000)
- Video 'Ghost in the Ceiling' Directed by Mito Skellern, DOP Gerhard Engelbrecht (2002)
- Desert Velvet - London Connection Sessions (2004)
- Going Nowhere Slowly - Soundtrack to the TV series (Various Artists) (2005)
- Desert Velvet - Boomcat Sessions (2006)
- Like Fire, Like Honey (Various Artists) (2007)
- Pools of Sorrow, Pools of Joy (Various Artists) (2008)
- African Drumming (2008)
- Al Paton (2009)