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I know a guy called Byron Clarke

This is an article about singer and songwriter Byron Clarke written by Goodhope FM DJ Ebrahim Inglis.

I knew a guy called Byron Clarke.

I saw him for the first time when he provided vocals for a band at the Jazzathon a little over 5 years ago. I thought he had potential but he didn’t really amaze me.

Not long after that I found myself performing alongside him in a tribute show – Grand Hotel. He played Kenny a mute that couldn’t speak but that could sing ironically. It was only then that I realised what was within this guy who jokingly referred to him himself as Boeta B sometimes.

He was of the few singers I know that made singing look as easy as speaking. And the best part of it all is that he knew he was good but unlike most good singers he didn’t remind you of it all the time. This made him easy to listen to, easy to watch and easy to be friends with.

Byron would tell me that he is a simple guy – what you see is what you get. But for me what you got from Byron was always more than you expected.

For years after that I never heard from this guy but every time I was reminded of him I thought to myself I hope he’s doing ok. He didn’t grow up in the best of neighbourhoods so I feared that his talent would go to waste.

However, 2 years ago it seemed as though my prayers had been answered. I was reading the news at Good Hope FM one Saturday and on the play list I see BYRON CLARKE – IN THE GREY and it sounded great!

2 years later, I have my own show on Good Hope FM and Byron Clarke has his very own album. On Saturday 13 February I went to see Byron’s album launch at The Living Room. The vocals were effortless as always, the band as tight, the atmosphere was electric and the songs had substance. And I was as proud as a brother.

When I embraced him afterwards and congratulated him, he was still the same old Boeta B! His humility is astonishing.

I saw Boeta B grow from the unassuming Kenny in Grand Hotel to the performing/recording artist known as Byron Clarke on Self-Inflicted.

I know a guy called Byron Clarke and he AMAZED me!

Get Byron Clarke’s debut album Self Inflicted NOW on Rhythm Records

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