Lekopanye Mooketsi
27 February 2008
Ace producer and keyboard master Gavin Bantom has become known as the traditional doctor "gaxeba" of local music because of his contribution to the industry.
Bantom has produced albums for local artistes and backed some of the top local Afro jazz acts in the country. Some of the music giants that he has backed include Socca Moruakgomo, Ndingo Johwa, Momo and the late Duncan Senyatso.
In fact, Moruakgomo brought Bantom into the country. He also produced Punah Gabasiane's popular album, Iyoo nna.
He also featured on THABO's second album and worked with Skizo in his studio. In addition Bantom played the keyboard on Lister Boleseng's acclaimed album.
He also produced Nono Siile's debut album last year. Bantom, who also plays instruments on her album, Kotikoti, accompanied Maxy for a show in Japan in 2006. Another musician that Bantom has worked with is Rampholo "Chamza" Molefe in his unreleased album. He had also worked with gospel musicians including Mokaragana presenter, Moel Keitumile. He has now formed his own group known as Brand New Vibe.
They intend to release their debut album in April. Bantom said they are already working on materials for the project. The album will have an Afro jazz influence. Bantom said they have already composed eight tracks for the album. The other members of Brand New Vibe are Brian Khuzwayo (bass guitarist and lead vocalist), Sakhile Nonong (bass player), Andrew Chiganga (saxophone), Decent Moyo (drummer) and Gomotsegang Radipotsane (lead guitarist). Brand New Vibe, which is backing Afro pop singer Shanti-Lo, is also a resident band at Mokoro (formerly Buyani) bar in Ledumang. Recently the group staged shows at Satchmos's Jazz cafe in Gaborone West.Bantom's musical journey can be traced to his youth when he was still growing up in South Africa. Bantom grew up in the Cape, in an area that in associated with gangster life. But he has never been a gangster and in fact always aspired to become a musician. Bantom said he used to advise some of his schoolmates to refrain from the gangster life. He said gangster wars used to erupt in schools when groups like the Americans clashed with their rivals. When some of the youngsters were associating themselves with gangs, he decided to play it safe with a guitar. At the age of 14 when some of the teenagers were shooting guns, Bantom was teaching himself how to play the guitar. Bantom recalls that it was difficult to master the instrument because there was nobody to teach him.
He used to watch the movement of other guitarists' fingers when they were playing the instrument. Bantom said he used to borrow a guitar from his neighbours to practise what the other guys were doing.By the time he turned 15, he bought his own guitar with money he raised from part time jobs. He said everyday after school, he would fine-tune his act. The practice would go on until 3 am. "I got blisters on my fingers but I continued to play," he said.Banton's brother bought a keyboard, which he also taught himself to play. After completing school in 1992, Bantom joined a gospel group, which was known as Emmanuel.
He continued to take his music career seriously as he kept on practising with various instruments. Practising became a daily routine for him. "Today I can see that my efforts are beginning to pay dividends," he said. He does not have regrets about becoming a musicians. He recalled that his parents used to encourage him to go to a teacher training college because music could not out food on the table. When he was got married last year, Bantom reminded his parents that he did it all because of music. Bantom said he had friends who were musicians and they used to share skills. Bantom also became a choirmaster for church groups and prison worship teams. In 1996, he became a music director for the Islamic music choir.
He was later poached by a Cape Town group, No Limits, which was based in East London. He played keyboards for the group. One day he received a call from Johannesburg about a music project in Dubai. However, Bantom pulled out the trip as he could not click with the other members of the group.
It was through some contacts that he met Moruakgomo who has just released his album, Kalahari. In 2003, Bantom came with Moruakgomo to the country to launch the album. He went back to South Africa but Moruakgomo recalled him to Botswana. Bantom worked with Moruakgomo for sometime and ultimately decided to settle in the country. Since then, he has been contributing immensely to the local music scene.
He later joined a local group called Unity and Two Committed which used to be based at President Hotel. For all his contribution, Bantom has to thank his Motswana wife, Michel who has been a pillar of strength to him. He said his wife has always been supportive in his music career. "I owe my success to my wife because she has always been supportive," he said. Bantom seems to be living by his philosophy, which says: "I know I can be what I want to be." He said people should know that they can be what they want to be if they work hard.
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