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Patrick Gershwin O' Ryan was born in
the Hanover Park cllinic on 14 June 1984, the first born
of Maude O' Ryan, who described him as the most beautiful
baby in the world. He grew up in Lansdowne with a household
of cousins, aunts and grandparents. The hecticly busy O'
Ryan household possessed a piano that would become an extension
of Patrick's existence.
It was at the age of three that Patrick first started playing
little melodies and in his mom's words, "baby chords",
on his grandfather's piano. By the age of four, Patrick
was knocking out melodies by Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond.
Blue Rondo a Le Turk and Take Five were popular tunes in
the O' Ryan household and Patrick naturally played what
he heard. |
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By the time Patrick started school at York Road Primary in Lansdowne,
he was taking lessons with Prof. Lamar at the U.C.T School of Music.
Patrick's natural ability at the piano impressed the Professor so
much that he took Patrick under his wing, coaching him in the clasics
and music theory.
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At the same time, aural and vocal trainer,
Paul Pommelare, guided Patrick in ear training and aural exercises.
Pommelare had never met someone like Patrick before.
By the time Patrick reached the age of ten, he had amassed
a repertoire that allowed him to perform at prestigeous events
such as one for the then Mayor of Cape Town, Kobus Meiring
and Mohammed Ali, at the Podium Hall in the Cape Town Civic
Centre.
In his first years as a teen, Patrick started playing
with top local musicians such as Robbie Jansen, Alvin Dyers
and others. One of his first gigs was at the now defunk,
Rosie's Pub, where the audience were dazzled by Patrick's
performance.
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Recently Patrick started composing, and has
been working with local producer, Ghalik Jacobs, at Littleriver
Studios.
You can download some samples from this project and give it a listen,
the songs are in development, but will give you a taste of Patricks's
song-writing skills.
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PATRICK
O' RYAN