Simon Bates

Besides being an active member of The Rudimentals since 2002, saxophonist Simon Bates is also involved with groups such as Jazz Attack Big Band, Mike Campbell Big Band, Duke Ellington / Johnny Cooper Big Band, DA Band (Daryl Andrews Latin Tentet), La Makina Loca (Salsa 13 piece band) and has performed and recorded on numerous musical projects, which includes Ichabod and 7th Son.

Simon, who holds the degrees BMus from the University of Natal, and an M.Mus from the University of Cape Town, has been involved with the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band (NYJB) ever since being selected for the band in 1995.  With NYJB, he toured New York and Holland (for 2004's North Sea Jazz Festival)

Simon's band experience:

• Ichabod > 1996-2000, released CD "The Other Side" 1999 (sold 1000 units). Received lots of radio air play, climbed to no# 14 on East Coast radio play list. Played festivals such as Splashy Fen (1999, 2000), Oppie Koppie (1999), Awesome Africa (1999), and others
• UND big band > 1996-2000
• UCT big band >2000-2004
• Duke Ellington / Johnny Cooper Big Band >2000 - present.  Includes national touring and an internationally released record
• Jazz Attack Big Band > 2002 - present
• Mike Cambel Big Band > 2000 - present
• DA Band (Daryl Andrews Latin Tentet) > 2003 - present
• La Makina Loca (Salsa 13 piece band) > 2004 - present
• 7th Son (reggae band) > 2003 -2004, recorded CD "Suburban Dub", received radio air play on various stations
• "RUDIMENTALS " > 2002 - present. Released CD "More Fire" 2003 (sold 1500 units currently), received radio play around the country and internationally, won Stone Award for music video "Noh TV"