Harry
Talas 

Craig
Mullan 

Denise
Van Heerden 

Clive
Bromfield 

- The Fat Sound Big Band -

- Resumés of Members -

Harry Talas : Vocalist

Harry was born and raised in Johannesburg. He started piano lessons at age 12 and subsequently began playing double bass. Jazz studies with Noel Stockton led to concerts and recordings with American jazz educator John Mehegan and saxophonist Morris Goldberg as well as performances with vocalist Dakota Staton and organist Shirley Scott. In 1965 he worked at the "Jack of Clubs" in Soho, London, where he gained valuable experience as a bassist/vocalist. Returning to South Africa he recorded his first vocal single "On Broadway". An album, "Supersonic Africa" soon followed, with Harry setting his own lyrics to Township melodies. This was produced and engineered by Boet Pretorius and arranged by John Boshoff. In 1987 he was the guest vocalist in "Pacofs Goes Pop" singing a tribute to Nat King Cole accompanied by a 60 piece orchestra under the baton of Noel Stockton. In 1994 he was featured in the Gershwin musical "Crazy For You", singing and playing double bass at the Pretoria State Theatre. Harry sings in the tradition of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett and is currently featured vocalist with The Fat Sound. He is also a regular member of the Don Albert Quartet.

Craig Mullan : Alto Saxophone

Craig Mullan grew up in Pretoria where he started piano lessons at age 10. After matriculating at the Art Ballet and Music School in 1989, he completed a B Mus in classical music on piano and saxophone at the University of the Witwatersrand. Having taken classes with both John Davis and Bruce Cassidy while studying at Wits, Craig was often asked to 'dep' for someone who couldn't make a rehearsal or performance with the Fat Sound and became a permanent member on second alto sax in 2001.

Denise Van Heerden : Trumpet

Denise is the only female instrumentalist in the band. She is the daughter of tenor man Dick Kirk. She originally began playing as principal cornet in a school brass band in England which won the second class championships at the Albert Hall. She completed her education in Pretoria at the School of Art and Ballet and gained experience with the PACT Symphony Orchestra and Johannesburg City Brass Band.

Clive Bromfield : Baritone Saxophone

Clive played in the Air Force Band for several years. He has toured South Africa with Frankie Laine, Liberace, Trini Lopez, Lovelace Watkins and the New Seekers. He recently toured Malawi with Vinnie and the Viscounts.

For Further Resumés click here:

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