So What

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Highlights

'So What' is an elegant, sophisticated duo that perform popular Lounge repertoire.
Jazzy Lounge
Contemporary and visually stunning

Act profile

'So What' – an electronic jazzy lounge duo - have been setting trends in the music industry with their innovative approach to live entertainment. These talented jazz musicians combine keyboards, electric violin and turntablism with samplers, effects and a healthy dose of freeform improvisation. The genre of music performed is best categorised as 'Lounge' and resembles the styles of Saint Germaine, Cafe Del Mar and Putumayo, as well as original material. This electronic lounge duo set the mood with their jazz-inspired background music, or picks up the vibe with their more groove based tunes.

So What

So What comprises violin (Naomi Tagg) and piano (Matthias Bakker). These musicians have performed for years in various jazz bands and eclectic groups all over the world including South Africa, Japan, Scandinavia, Mauritius, Seychelles, Zambia and the US and have shared the stage with the likes of the Soweto String Quartet, Sibongile Khumalo, Mango Groove, Michael Bolton, Elton John, Celine Dion, Arno Carstens and Judith Sephuma. Past clients include BT, the SA Government, Financial Mail, Business Day, Peroni, Heinekin, SAB, Business Excellence Global Media (UK based), Shell, Microsoft, Mercedes Benz, Peugeot, Ford, Audi, BMW (as well as writing music for the latest Hummer TV commercial flighted in South Africa and Kenya).

Naomi tagg

Naomi Tagg is an electric violinist (and violist) with a modern twist.
With 20 years of experience in various bands, orchestras, quartets, jazz ensembles and electronic projects, Naomi has performed in Europe, Africa, Russia and Scotland. She is the composer, director and former member of the highly acclaimed all girl string sensation “Electro-Muse” as well as being the co-founding member of jazz outfit, “Chilli ‘n Lime”. With a background in classical and jazz studies at the University of Cape Town, Naomi is currently involved in jazz/electronic duo “So What”, as well as her original project, “Tokyo Star”.

In the last few years, Naomi has shared the stage with many International and South African artists:

John Legend, Michael Bolton, Celine Dion, Soweto String Quartet, Sibongile Khumalo, Gloria Bosman, Xolani Dlamini, Mango Groove, Danny K, Arno Carstens, Prime Circle, the Parlotones as well as South Africa’s top jazz musicians.

Amongst the first electric violists in South Africa, Naomi has performed at many top events including the Elton John Charity Ball in Cape Town with Electro-Muse (formerly known as Muse SQ), as well as many other prestigious events including Miss SA 2005, the 2007 South African Music Awards, Richmond International, Virgin X-Box Launch with Richard Branson, numerous car launches (including BMW, Mercedes, Ford, Toyota, Peugeot, Audi, Investment Cars (as well as writing the music for the latest Hummer commercial flighted in South Africa and Kenya).

Other clients include BT, Moet & Chandon, Peroni, SAB, Heinekin, Discovery Health, Sony Playstation, Rohlich-Grindrod, Deutsche Bank, De Beers, Samsung, Yamaha, , Diesel, FTV café, as well as the South African government, to name but a few.

International corporate functions include the Seychelles for the Arab Prince, Mauritius, Zambia, Edinburgh, Namibia for Cancer Charity Event, and the Baltic Sea for a six day cruise with Coca Cola.

Naomi has been in the media extensively for the last 3 years with her involvement in Electro-Muse. This includes TV and Radio interviews, live broadcasts, articles and reviews in local gazettes, national newspapers and glossy magazines. She was also recently featured as the “flying” violinist in the 2007 Naledi Theatre Awards broadcast on SABC in South Africa.

Naomi plays on a Yamaha electric violin as well as a 150-year-old acoustic violin and acoustic viola in musical styles raging from dance music, electronic and jazz to rock, R&B and kwaito (South African township music).


Matthias Bakker

Matthias started playing professionally 8 years ago after he completed his studies at Musicians’ Institute in Los Angeles.
His qualifications include:

1) Encore Certificate Program (keyboard) in Contemporary Music completed at Musicians’ Institute , California, USA
2) Performance Certificate Program in Contemporary Music and Jazz Studies (keyboard) completed at Musicians’ Institute, California, USA

After representing Musicians’ Institute in a fusion/blues band in Tokyo, Matthias moved back to South Africa where he started playing extensively with well known and respected jazz musicians. In 2006, Matthias started the young, dynamic jazz quintet Chilli ‘n Lime with whom he performed alongside internationally acclaimed artists Judith Sephuma and Mango Groove. Highlights with Chilli ‘n Lime include performing for the African Ministers of Education, UK company Business Excellence Global Media, the J & B Met in Cape Town, the BMW X5 launch, the SA Department of Health, Business Day Entertainment Awards, and in front of 6000 people at the CocaCola Dome

Line-up

Matthias Bakker - keyboards
Naomi Tagg - violin, turntablism

Cafe Del Mar style solo violin pre dinner set

Also included

2 x Yamaha 15 inch speakers
2 x Yamaha monitors
1 x 24 channel mixing desk
1 x 300 watt keyboard amp
necessary cabling
instruments (technics turntable, Yamaha weighted keyboard, electric violin, Mac Laptop, samplers, gemini mixer etc...)

Location

South East based and will travel to these areas: South East, South West, Midlands.

Testimonials

I was at a corporate event in the Gatsby during Wimbledon fortnight and I stumbled across these guys playing in the bar.They were superb and I have hunted them out to give them some high praise.

-Bill Simpson

"Hi Rick,

The guys were fantastic and went down really well at Wimbledon, I hope they enjoyed it.

Kind Regards
Steph" Wimbledon fortnight residency in Gatsby Club June 2011



"I have only had a brief text message from my client about her event and am waiting to speak to her. Her message said that the music was perfect...
Thanks for your help on this. I will let you know if she says anything else." Ashley Events Organiser May 2011


"Also.... So What! are seriously brilliant!! We and everyone else absolutely loved them!! If you want any testimonials, we are happy to supply them.... and we will recommend them to friends"
Gemma Stilwell (Wedding, London, Sept '09)

“Thank you again for your contribution to our superbly received (BMW) X5 unveiling. You guys helped set the premium tone and we are grateful for that. I will get in contact with you if we ever require another launch band.”
Matthew Vermaak, BMW Dealer, Auto Alpino Boksburg.

“You guys played great ensemble jazz, and each of you were good individually. The evening slid by seamlessly. Wish we could have just sat and listened to you without the Company function intruding.” JP Nel (Goldfields Business & Leadership Academy)

“I would like to thank everyone for your participation and hard work in assisting us in putting the Car of The Year 2008 event together. The violin silhouette piece was amazing and I think the guests really enjoyed the performance and the beautiful presentation that you gave us.” Nicky Kennedy (Attic Special Events)

Previous clients

BT
Global Business Excellence Media
180 Degrees Entertainment
About Entertainment
TransUnion
Department of Education
Deloitte & Touche
DISA
Premier Service Excellence Awards
Nedbank
Altech
Alto Events
Financial Mail
Business Day
Big Talk Entertainment
Black Jack Events
David Bloch and Co
Zenprop Property
Goldfields
Grace Hotel
Hands On Entertainment
Mercedes Benz Lifestyle Centre
Canal Groups
Wonderware
Medical Congress
Daimler Chrysler
United Stations
Pillay Human Capital and Communication Services
Reids Agency
Star Trackers Entertainment
The Mad Hatter Entertainment
The Peach Hotel
Westcliff Hotel
5 Seasons Music
Atomic VFX
Collyerlessick and Associates
Microsoft
Vodacom
BMW
Shell
African Ministers of Education

£500 to £795

Music Samples

Act Videos

Repertoire

Extra Costs

The price brackets above should be used as a guide only as all quotes are bespoke.

Performance times for most acts except Tributes and some other Unique performers are usually 2 x 60 minute sets or 3 x 40 min sets.

(If you require the act to perform longer than these times you may incur extra costs.)

Travel costs vary depending on the act and will be included to the quote given to you by our agents.

Our acts would usually expect to arrive around 5.30pm and to be finished around midnight.

(If you need the act to arrive earlier or finish later there may be extra costs but these can be negotiated.)