With her first solo singing performance at age 4, the stage bug bit and Jann has never been very far away from a stage all her life. Being actively involved in any music or drama production that was available, she landed up performing for CAPAB in a lead role in Fiddler on The Roof at age 16, and for WITS as a lead role in The Boyfriend at age 18.
During school, Jann was a member of a Steel Band led by Andrew Tracy; and shortly after leaving school she joined China White as lead vocalist. After the break-up of China White, she performed with various outfits, often standing in for vocalists who were unable to perform and appearing in a number of ‘lookalike/soundalike’ shows as Alison Moyet and Cher.
At the age of 17, Jann began voice training at Wits University with Joyce Barker, with whom she trained for eight years, covering classical, opera, light voice, stage production and microphone vocal techniques.
Teaming up with Pete, her husband as a duo Body Heat, they toured extensively, performing all over, from Hong Kong, Malaysia, and UK to neighbouring countries such as Botswana and Swaziland. They also were invited to perform at the Miss South Africa Pageant at Sun City. Changing the band name to Belladonna, Jann & Pete invited various artists to perform with them as a corporate function band. Jann and Pete also run ‘Hands On MIDI Software’, the largest music backing track company in Africa, and Elfhaven Productions, a recording company. Jann is also an accomplished and sought after voice over artist and backing vocalist in studios.
Jann has such an incredible stage presence, and is a remarkable frontline performer, with a very strong, rich and deep voice; she is easily recognized all over.
Being so intricately involved in the music industry for 18 years, there is no performance that daunts her.
Her
Motto: Sure I Can Do It!