Cape Town based band
The four members of the band 4Front, Grant Sebastian, Michael Rorich, Celeste Williams and Randall Cyster, have all been involved in the music industry for almost twenty years when in 1998 jazz vocalist, and performer, Alistair Izobell, pulled them together, as a backing band for himself. Ever since these four have been playing together. Even though they were Alistair’s backing band, while he was out of town, the band performed at different club venues and music events, and soon became very popular. Some of the very prestigious performances include, backing Alistair Izobell at concert in Sydney Australia in July 2003, a corporate function at the Cape Town International Convention Centre,
It was only after arriving from Australia in July 2003, five year’s after performing together for the first time, that that the band was officially named 4Front.
Michael Rorich
Michael grew up in the culturally rich suburb of Walmer Estate in Cape Town, just a stone throw away from District 6. He started his musical career at the age of 14 and as a hobby he started playing the guitar. However, after qualifying as an engineer at the age of 21, Michael says “the guitar drew me to take it further“. In 1976 he started playing part-time with a band called Airborne, to which he was also a co-founder and member for 14 years. It was around the 1980’s that he studied Music Theory and Practical under the tutorship of Darryl Andrew, who’s currently an associate lecturer at the UCT Jazz Studies department. He also played the guitar in the UCT Symphony Orchestra Jazz Ensemble. Michael received guitar lessons from jazz guitar tutor, Kenny Japhta and vocal training with vocal trainer Desai Ray. As a solo entertainer Michael has performed at the Ambassador Hotel, Nautikat Cruise Liner Hout Bay, the Alabama Jazz Boat at the V & A Waterfront and many more. Michael’s international career kicked off in 1989 when he did a guest spot with internationally renowned jazz pianist Oscar Peterson at The Blue Note. Other international performances include solo performances at the Concorde Hotel in Singapore, the Melbourne Casino in Australia, New Year’s Eve in Sydney (1997) and most recently as part of the band 4Front as backing for Alistair Izobell at a music concert in Sydney, Australia. In his free time Michael does studio work as a session musician. Musical influences are Mike Stern, Frank Gambale, Pat Martino and Robin Ford.
Celeste Williams
Celeste, who describes herself as energetic, vibrant and colourful is a mother of five with her youngest child only one and a half years old. Born to a musically talented family in Namibia, Celeste started her musical career, by playing piano at the age of three. And with her mother being a music teacher, Celeste was sure to be well on her way to a very successful musical career. Although she received her initial training from her mother she was sent for further training at the Conservatoire of Music in Windhoek. She excelled with her studies and at the age of twelve received practical training at UCT. In 1986 Celeste graduated from UCT with a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. Up until then Celeste had been a solely classical musician and it was around 1985 that she joined a gospel group called Jesus Company and performed with them for three years. From 1992 to 1998 Celeste performed as a solo artist at hotels in Mauritius, the Wild Coast Sun, Sun City and at Graceland Casino in Secunda. And it was in 1998 that she met Alistair Izobell. Celeste has worked with international artists such as Jonathan Butler. And just recently Celeste was chosen to be the resident pianist on the DSTV music programme called Lirriekeraai. About the band, Celeste says “it’s hard to find people you like working with”. As far as the future is concerned she says that she sees no limit for the band.
Musical influences are Joe McBride, Keith Jarret, Oscar Peterson, Diana Krall, Joe Sample, Spyro Gyra and Pieces of a Dream.
Randall Cyster
Randall grew up in Althone, Cape Town and lived with his grandparents for as long as he can remember. Although no one in the Cyster family is involved in the music industry, at five Randall started drumming cake tins with spoons. His uncle who was the only one who noticed his talent bought him his first drum set when he was only seven years old. Randall is a self-educated drum score reader who educated himself by reading at the local library. He played the drums for the church band up until he was eighteen years old and thereafter left to play as a freelance drummer with different bands. In 1993 he joined the band, Utopia and played with them for three years. The second band he joined up with was called Family Affair. After three years with Family Affair, Randall rejoined Utopia, which later became known as Swank. It was in 1998 that Randall joined up with Michael, Celeste and Grant and formed 4Front. Although Randall broke away from the band a few times, he teamed up with them again in 2002. Randall has performed with international artists with the likes of Ricky Martin, Ronan Keating, Keith Washington, Tevan Campbell and the Crusaders. He has also toured Turkey, Tunisia, Holland, Austria, and Sweden among others. Although Randall is a full time member of 4Front, he still plays with Airborne and does session work for various bands that have released CD’s. For the band, Randall looks forward to recording an album and doing some local and international tours. Randall’s musical influences are Steve Gadd, Dennis Chambers, Markus Miller, Abraham Laboriel and Jeff Pocaro the drummer from the band TOTO.
Grant Sebastian
Grant describes himself as a hard working, “get
things done” kinda guy who always breaks the ice in those tense moments. He
grew up in Kalksteenfontein and like many successful musicians, started out
playing for the church band. While Grant was not formally trained in music he,
at the age of nine, played the guitar for the church band, and learnt from the
musicians he played with. In 1978 he joined one of he top gospel bands of the
time, Jesus Company. Grant was so devoted to music that in the 1980’s he left
school to play full time for a band and went to Namibia to perform. Around 1986,
he met Allou April and started the band Utopia. This band performed mostly at
jazz clubs. His international career includes performances at an international
hotel in Dubai, Swaziland at the Why Not Hotel, and on a Cruise liner with the
Andrew Young Band. Grant has also jammed with the likes of Spyro Gyra and Randy
Crawford’s backing band. In 1990 he returned to South Africa and joined up with
jazz band Swank for the next four years, after which he joined drummer Ivan
Bell, pianist Mark Goliath, vocalists Jennifer Jones and Andy K in the band
Mixolydia. Grant’s music influences are Abraham Laboriel, Keith Washington,
Victor Hooten and Markus Null.