Tree63
Encyclopedia
Tree63 was a Contemporary Christian Music
band from Durban
, South Africa
.
, and came up with "Tree". They added the 63 part of their name in 2000 due to a naming conflict with an American band. 63 had been the name of their second album, which was named in reference to Psalm
63.
Their first album released in the United States, Tree63
, won the GMA Dove Award for Rock Album of the Year in 2001.
Tree63's recording of Matt Redman
's "Blessed Be Your Name" helped to spark the song's popularity. This recording was featured on the 2005 edition of WOW Hits
and was nominated for two Dove Awards. On a February 2, 2007 broadcast of 20, The Countdown Magazine (special edition, Praise and Worship), guest Chris Tomlin
described Tree63's rendition of "Blessed Be Your Name" as "...the definitive recording of one of the most all-encompassing songs in the entire world of Christian music." The song was then announced as the number 3 Praise and Worship song of all time.
Tree63 parted ways in 2009, and John Ellis returned to South Africa, where he started his solo career. His debut solo album, Come Out Fighting, was released in June 2010.
Michael Silifant was the band's manager.
's song "Blessed Be Your Name" was nominated for two Dove Awards: Song of the Year and Worship Song of the Year, at the 36th GMA Dove Awards.
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
band from Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
History
The band was formed in 1996 and originally, it was unnamed. In 1997, the band had to come up with a name before performing at North Beach, DurbanDurban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
, and came up with "Tree". They added the 63 part of their name in 2000 due to a naming conflict with an American band. 63 had been the name of their second album, which was named in reference to Psalm
Psalms
The Book of Psalms , commonly referred to simply as Psalms, is a book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible...
63.
Their first album released in the United States, Tree63
Tree63 (album)
-Track listing:# "Treasure"# "Joy"# "Look What You've Done"# "Sacrifice"# "Earnestly"# "Anthem"# "A Million Lights"# "101"# "Can I See Your Face?"# "Worldwide"...
, won the GMA Dove Award for Rock Album of the Year in 2001.
Tree63's recording of Matt Redman
Matt Redman
Matt Redman is an English Christian worship leader, songwriter and author based in Brighton.He has worked with Newfrontiers, Passion Conferences, Hillsong London, Soul Survivor, is an artist for Sixstepsrecords and is a member of Compassionart a charity founded by Martin Smith.He appeared with...
's "Blessed Be Your Name" helped to spark the song's popularity. This recording was featured on the 2005 edition of WOW Hits
WOW Hits 2005
WOW Hits 2005 is a two-disc compilation album of hit songs that were selected to represent the best in contemporary Christian music. It was released on October 5, 2004. The album includes thirty one songs plus three bonus tracks. It features songs by Steven Curtis Chapman, Newsboys, MercyMe,...
and was nominated for two Dove Awards. On a February 2, 2007 broadcast of 20, The Countdown Magazine (special edition, Praise and Worship), guest Chris Tomlin
Chris Tomlin
Christopher Dwayne "Chris" Tomlin is an American Christian Contemporary Music artist, worship leader, and songwriter from Grand Saline, Texas, United States. He is a former staff member at Austin Stone Community Church and is signed to EMI's sixstepsrecords. Tomlin also leads worship at many...
described Tree63's rendition of "Blessed Be Your Name" as "...the definitive recording of one of the most all-encompassing songs in the entire world of Christian music." The song was then announced as the number 3 Praise and Worship song of all time.
Tree63 parted ways in 2009, and John Ellis returned to South Africa, where he started his solo career. His debut solo album, Come Out Fighting, was released in June 2010.
Members
- John EllisJohn Ellis (South African musician)John Ellis is a South African singer-songwriter and guitarist and previous lead singer of the band, Tree63. He was born and raised in Durban, South Africa. He began playing the guitar at ten years of age. He created Saint Legend in high school, which signed with David Gresham Records in 1993...
- Vocals, GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, PianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
- He also played guitar in Matt RedmanMatt RedmanMatt Redman is an English Christian worship leader, songwriter and author based in Brighton.He has worked with Newfrontiers, Passion Conferences, Hillsong London, Soul Survivor, is an artist for Sixstepsrecords and is a member of Compassionart a charity founded by Martin Smith.He appeared with...
's band for a short time, including the albums FacedownFaceDownFacedown is an album by worship artist Matt Redman. The song 'Nothing But The Blood' has been covered by Jamie Hill on his album One Day....
, Blessed Be Your Name: The Songs of Matt Redman Vol. 1, and at the Passion 05 conference.- Darryl Swart - DrumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Thinus "Tain" Odendaal - Drums
- Daniel OrnellasDaniel OrnellasDaniel Ornellas is a Zimbabwe-born musician and Bassist for South African band Tree63.Daniel's father, David was a lead singer and guitarist in African multi-racial rock band Hawk . Daniel grew up in a Pentecostal Christian home, and was soon involved in praise/worship at his church...
- BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Scoop - Bass
- Martin "Mort" Engel - Bass
- Darryl Swart - Drums
Michael Silifant was the band's manager.
Discography
- Overflow (1997)
- 6363 (album)-Track listing:# "1*0*1"# "Still small voice"# "Stumbling stone"# "Sacrifice"# "A Million Lights"# "Fisherman"# "Perfectly"# "Scary"# "Darkness between the stars"# "Treasure"# "Can I see Your face?"# "Earnestly, earnestly"# "Have your way"# "Anthem"...
- (1999, Kingsway Music) - Tree63Tree63 (album)-Track listing:# "Treasure"# "Joy"# "Look What You've Done"# "Sacrifice"# "Earnestly"# "Anthem"# "A Million Lights"# "101"# "Can I See Your Face?"# "Worldwide"...
(2000, Inpop RecordsInpop RecordsInpop Records is an independent contemporary Christian music record label based in Franklin, Tennessee, USA. It was launched in July 1999 by Australians Peter Furler, Dale Bray, and Wes Campbell...
) - The Life and Times of Absolute TruthThe Life And Times Of Absolute TruthThe Life And Times Of Absolute Truth is Tree63's fourth album.-Track listing:# "The Glorious Ones"# "All Hands"# "No Words"# "All Because"# "Anxious Seat"# "Here of All Places"# "Be All End All"# "It's All About to Change"# "Surprise Surprise"...
(2002) - The Answer to the QuestionThe Answer To The QuestionThe Answer To The Question is Tree63's third album. The original version contains ten tracks; a later released expanded edition contains five additional tracks. is the title of a book by Fred C...
(2004) - Worship Volume One: I Stand For YouWorship Volume One: I Stand For YouWorship Volume One: I Stand For You is Tree63's fourth album. It features 7 new songs, 4 live songs and a new version of "I Stand For You."-Track listing:# "No Other"# "Treasure" # "I Will Never Be the Same"# "Joy"...
(2005) - Blessed Be Your Name: The Hits
- Sunday! (2007, Inpop RecordsInpop RecordsInpop Records is an independent contemporary Christian music record label based in Franklin, Tennessee, USA. It was launched in July 1999 by Australians Peter Furler, Dale Bray, and Wes Campbell...
)
Awards
On 2005, Tree63's version of Matt RedmanMatt Redman
Matt Redman is an English Christian worship leader, songwriter and author based in Brighton.He has worked with Newfrontiers, Passion Conferences, Hillsong London, Soul Survivor, is an artist for Sixstepsrecords and is a member of Compassionart a charity founded by Martin Smith.He appeared with...
's song "Blessed Be Your Name" was nominated for two Dove Awards: Song of the Year and Worship Song of the Year, at the 36th GMA Dove Awards.