KATHY RAVEN~ GUITAR / LEAD VOCALS PETE SKLAIR ~ BASS
Pete currently also jams with Paul Hanmer and other jazz greats.
He is the son of legendary jazz-man Sam Sklair. REUBEN SAMUELS ~ DRUMS
Zen master of the groove, Reuben is a sought after
Rhythm man in S.A. and abroad
Influences
Sting, Hendrix, Louis Prima, Seal, Bessie Smith, The Lemmings, Anni Lennox, Sibongile Khumalo, Jennifer Ferguson, Ella Fitzgerald, Evernescence, Robin Auld, Colorfields, Interzone....and so many more
Ms Raven grew up in a musical family, her late dad Harry van Rensburg recorded on the South African Decca label in the 60’s as ‘Bill Grant’ a smooth crooner singing songs like ‘You send Me’ Harry was also a partner with Banzi Khubeka, Blondie Makhene and John Galanakis in the record label called Hit City Records back in the 80’s which recorded local ‘Township Groove’ and Gospel artistes.
Kathy learned the ropes of the biz in South Africa by singing sessions in the studio, doing make up on the other artistes for TV, answering phones, listening to demo tapes, going on tour and doing shows singing backup, in the ‘Townships’ of Soweto and travelling up Africa on tour to countries like Botswana. Kathy was also the lead vocalist in the township disco band ‘Banjo’ who had the single ‘In the Middle of the Night’ on S.A. radio . Not a bad way to spend your teenage years.
Since then Kathy has sung and played in various Blues folk outfits in South Africa, including Keep the Change who did support for Crosby Stills and Nash and Shawn Phillips on their South African tours and had two tracks on the S.A. charts called ‘Blinded by Desire’ and ‘The Fortunate Ones’ on the cd titled ‘Revelations’ written with Jonny Blundell(written about the incredible transformation in her country).
In the late 90’s Kathy won a National songwriting competition hosted by Peer Music Publishing which shifted her solo blues folk performances onto another level and now she combines her love of the blues and songwriting to produce a mix of local South African folk sounds with flavorings of the blues and other influences like reggae and a little of the crooner colorings of her dad’s early stuff.
Kathy has played and sung with various South African bands and artistes live and in studio including Tim Parr, Anton Goosen, Jonny Blundell, The Zap Dragons, Dan Patlansky, Louis Mhlanga and Grassroots, to name but a few…
Recently in 2009 Kathy has been commissioned to write the National song for South Africas childcare organization ‘Childline’ and is working on a very exciting project with some children of Childline, writing the song in collaboration with them for National release later this year.
On the promotional side of the biz Kathy has hosted shows all over South Africa promoting local new and established talent.
One such vehicle is called ‘Not ‘til Midnight Blues’ and takes artistes into venues with fresh full enthusiastic audiences, her partners in this are Pippa Freer(original owner along with Mike Freer of the Blues Room in South Africa)and Margie Varney, promotions wiz with Adele Lucas Promotions.
Kathy has also recently hosted a series of hugely successful concerts for the Goethe Institute(German Cultural Institute) in Johannesburg featuring the talents of Pops Mohamed, Louis Mhlanga and Grassroots, New World Radio amongst others, and loved it.
Her latest offering is the cd ‘Loveseed’ recorded live @ The Radium Beer Hall, legendary blues and Jazz club in Johannesburg. This cd features the talents of;
Mike Meiring – lead guitar. Awesome blues rock man,
Pete Sklair – bass. Funkmaster.
and
Reuben Samuels – drums. Zen master of the groove!
For bookings and enquiries contact Katherine.raven@gmail.com
Aloha Kathy, I am stopping in to wish a wonderful year and Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas in Hawaiian) Although if you look at it historically I think we should be doing this in March not December. Whatevers.
Just stopping by to say hello and give you some news. The new album 'Coolgilly and the Freakshow' from Centascope is now available worldwide from CD Baby and directly from the merchandise page of the official website. You can also get the album from Apple iTunes, MSN Music, Rhapsody, Napster, Amazon and many more.
Hi Kathy--I've enjoyed having you on the showcases. Got time to play the Porch again on July 2? Also, I mentioned you to Peter Steynberg, who I believe is also a South African, runs an art gallery/music venue in SLO (see Steynberg Gallery on my friends list). See you soon--SK
Dont pick up Hitch-hikers with cigars. They might love the way you sing Elvis and get you lost somewhere .... LOL cheers and thanks for an awesome show !!!!
Kathy, Lenny Blue sending you photos of Dockside in Morro Bay Ca USA. Enjoy. One of my Grandchild Kelcey Playing My Guitar...and one of You Playing at Dockside as well. ----L.B. 6-17-09
We had fun yesterday visiting with you...From The Lenny Blue Family !! Peace...and Stay Well and Travel Safe. You'll always have friends in Gooooood Ole Morro Bay CA USA. Fly On....Fly Free !!!.......L.B....The Blues Doctor.
Hey kathy- We really enjoyed meeting you, you are very positive and have good energy! we wished if you moved here you could sing with our band and maybe we could do a compromise on the music sound. We have had our music sold for commercial and television and have alot of connections. We think that with your voice and writing ability and charisma we could be very successful. see you soon. monique
Hi Kathy--Welcome to SLO Town! Got time to play my showcases? I host every Tues., The Clubhouse SLO; and every Thurs. starting June 4 at The Porch Santa Margarita (just over the Cuesta Grade north of SLO).
Online Now!
