Jack Mantis (Vocals and guitars), Jimi Curve (Bass and Backing vocals), George Sax (Saxophone) and Dom Benigno (Keys)
Influences
Personally without music and voice I would surely wither...
Next to love it's the most important thing in my life...
Love encompasses all...Music is its heartsong and voice...
From grey blue eyes, honesty and truth, traveling, my mountain, rain and the life it brings, stroking a lovers forhead to sleep or rubbing her feet, organic food, farm life, galloping horses, sex, playing guitars with friends, stargazing, real people and times, the jungles, live performances, lips, sunset and rise, dvd's with loved ones, hot chocolate, a responsive and attentive audience, children, smiles, planting trees, holding hands, a new song, real friends, community living, family, riding my skateboard real fast downhill, hope, giving, forgiving, humility, sharing, touch, taste and smell, flying a kite, watching a lover sleep, picking and giving flowers, suprises, seeing an old friend, connecting with people, picket fences, old western and Elvis movies, The beach in winter, kissing...Along with life's pleasures there are certain things I trully cannot stand...My insecurities, my ego, pessimism, ignorance, people who go to marches but never do a goddam thing, soap operas, days when my hands wont play the guitar, cigarettes, people who make vegitarian jokes, newspapers, arguing, when I'm broke and starving, loneliness, most big budget hollywood movies, People in celebrity positions that do nothing for the planet, religious extremists, South African politicans and the new form of Apartheid, Rnb and Hip Hop, Eletronic music, Rugby?, being cheated on, being lied to, Loosing more friends to the violence of this crazy little country I call home...life has offered many obstacles, which is clear in my music...and all I ask in return is your support to allow me and all romantic artists out their fullfill their dreams and honour the gifts of their talents...Jack*
Myspace Backgrounds
Jack Mantis was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and started his music career being classically trained as a pianist. Jack enrolled at the Beau Soliel school of music at the age of 13 to study orchestra percussion, marimba and xylophone. Shortly thereafter he discovered his first guitar, which began an almost two decade passion that resonates within his music today. Having traveled extensively Jack has had the privilege to study under Malian djembe player Sidi Sangara and world renown Didgeridu master Alan Dargin. The band is currently in studio working on their debut album 'Circumstance of Events' to be released late summer of 2009. He is concurrently working on his self funded, recorded, produced and much awaited solo project 'All the girls you can eat.' due for release summer 2009...
LOVELY HONESTLY
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The Jack Mantis Band : Peace, Love And Politics
“Based around lead singer/graffiti artist Jack Mantis and Jimi Curve’s smooth bass tones, The Jack Mantis band is constantly evolving. We were blown away by the booming, sublime and varied act. This is a four-piece in the rising…
Jack and bassist Jimi Curve have long been in each other’s lives, performing in various projects in and around Cape Town. With the inclusion of saxophinist George Sax and Dom Benigno ..s, the four piece is complete.
Jack’s masterful, ‘Adam Duritz‘ way with lyrics, his booming voice and love of guitar suggest that the band is all acoustic with backup from the drums and bass. However, the acoustic element is a mere base for the band to explore greater genres, sub-cultures and influences. One cannot rule out Jimi’s influence on the band as Jack uses him to play off and explore some incredibly varied and lyrical tunes.
It is clear that Jack uses his earlier experiences as a graffiti artist in his lyrics as he explores themes that are all important to everyone. Peace, love and politics. In fact, his lyrics and the bands interpretation are just as varied as the genres they explore; acoustic, soulful jazz, soft rock, reggae and some hard hitting rock. Vocal range? Exquisite.
The band keeps a magical tone, creating a stage experience that will shake an audience to its core. You will truly enjoy the way both the passive sit-down listener and the jammer both bob their heads.
So be careful, The Jack Mantis Band will shake you like a can of paint”…Dean Horwitz Overtone
Life is a Rollercoaster
When The Jack Mantis Band step on stage, all I wanna do is kick back with Jack (Daniels that is) and soak up the show. For me this is the best way to thoroughly enjoy the performance, and on this particular night, the audience understood this.
Lead singer and guitarist Jack, bassist Jimi Curve, Saxophonist George Sax and Dom Benigno ..s, are an unstoppable force together, playing everything from reggae to rock to blues with disturbing ease. It's obvious through their diverse musicality that The Jack Mantis Band have been influenced by a wide range of artists. Their cover of Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours." is simply gorgeous. With Jimi Curve's bass lines, it gives their version much more soul than the original, and because Jacks voice is grittier than Mraz's, it gives their version much more depth.
However it's the tongue-in-cheek lyrics from one song in particular that deserves a special mention, as Jack uses tropical fruit as metaphors for incredibly dirty things going on in his song, crooning "she wanna peel my banana, under the coconut tree." He also mentions something about a mango and guava...Jack, you sick puppy.
...Tecla, L.M.G. live review
Not what I'd imagined...In studio 29th May 2008 ..
The Breakup Song ..
Thanks for your friendship and supporting my music! Smooth rock/reggae/funk for the thinking and dancing aficionado. Think of Peter Gabriel jamming and partying with Robbie Robertson, Dave Matthews and Jack Johnson in Bob Marley's Hope Road studio. http://www.davesasscer.com
Hello again Sir - it's your never-met-friendie from France again... we have a lovely Cannonball Blonde friend in common I have just found out - so this got me checking out your stuff some more... seriously amazing! I'm heading home next month and TB and I are going to jam.. hopefully we can hook up while I'm there! A bientot.
With the release of my debut album, Just a Lonely Heart, a little over a month away, I just wanted to say thanks. Your support helped make it possible. Be sure to pick up your own copy on December 1st. Until then stop by my page 'cause I've posted a few of the songs for you a little early. Thanks again!! -Topher
Ao manty are you back from tiworld..i was convinced you wouldnt come back...that place is !!!. manty i am a second away from finishing my new album and im using our tracks i need to re mix da one pls done dee give us a bella when you get dis scripple.
Come and hear the tambourine— Come and join the dance! Spinning silks in shades of light Velvet dark as shadowed night. Gold and silver buy your future— Pasteboard cards with faded ink. Caravans by campfire glow Keeping secrets gypsies know Restlessly, we go our way We were not meant for earth or town. Whirling dancers with eyes like jet Centuries have not tamed us yet!
