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At St George’s Park, the St George’s Brass Band is more than just a musical group — it’s the soul of cricket in Port Elizabeth. Since 1994, this spirited ensemble of around 20 musicians, armed with trumpets, trombones, drums, and a colossal tuba, has brought…Read More
The music entertains the crowd and inspires the players. (Sportzpics)
A joyful brass medley fills the air as the sun beams down on Port Elizabeth and fans stream into St George’s Park. This isn’t a carnival, but the SA20 Qualifier 1 between MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals. While most franchise T20 games are synonymous with booming DJ sets and thumping beats, the Old Stand offers a different rhythm – courtesy of some 20-spirited musicians wielding trumpets, trombones, drums and a colossal tuba. This is the unmistakable signature of the St George’s Brass Band, the beating heart of cricket matches at this iconic ground since 1994.
The band, currently led by veteran member Earl, a diesel engine mechanic, is a beloved institution in South African cricket. “It all started with a bunch of guys bringing their instruments to a game to create a vibe,” Earl recalls, smiling. “The management at PE Cricket loved it and went searching for them after the match. They found the guys, and the rest is history.”
Earl joined the band in 1998 and has seen it grow into a cultural phenomenon. “It’s all about giving back and keeping the tradition alive,” he says. Each band member has a day job, from mechanics to office workers, but their shared love for music and cricket brings them together.
Zandre, who joined in 2014, plays with “heart and soul.” Warren, a member since 2004, cherishes the cultural legacy the band upholds. Bevin, the youngest member, has been with the group since 2015 and enjoys every moment of the experience.
What unites them all? “Pure passion,” Earl says. “There’s just one particular song that caught my attention, and I said back then to my friends that I’m going to be part of that band, and two years later, I joined Sir George’s band, and because of Stand By Me, we are here.”
“We play sing-alongs so the crowd can join in,” Earl explains. “Whether it’s African songs, coloured songs, or white songs, as long as people can sing along and get going, that’s what works for us.”
Their music entertains the crowd and inspires the players. “The players definitely acknowledge us,” Earl shares proudly.
He recalled a memorable moment from the first year of SA20 when the winning team [Sunrisers East Cape] gathered with the band and kit designers to express their gratitude. “It was just great to see the players being part of that celebration and acknowledging everyone who contributed,” he added.
The band’s roots trace back to a Benson & Hedges game in 1994 when musicians from Cape Town performed at St George’s Park. Inspired by the lively atmosphere, the Eastern Province Cricket Board established their own band, giving rise to the St George’s Brass Band in 1994.
However, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. The band faced a heartbreaking moment when they were banned from playing during the 2003 Cricket World Cup.
“That was a bummer, you know,” shares Earl. Thankfully, their fortunes changed, and they have since become a staple at major tournaments, including the Women’s World Cup and SA20.
“But they’ve learned from that. Most ICC tournaments, when they have matches here at St. George, we were part of it. I think it was the year before last, we were part also of the Women’s World Cup here in South Africa, we were also part of that. But when it comes to T20s, they can’t stop us. We are on a roll here”.
SA20, now in its third season, has elevated the band’s profile. “This is where we truly bring ourselves and show who we are,” Earl says. Despite the initial challenges of coordinating with DJs, the band found a solution by working closely with sound engineers.
“Our first few tournaments were a challenge with the DJ, but we sorted it out. We went to him and spoke to the sound engineer, and they killed the speaker at the site. So there’s no music coming from that one speaker that faces us,” says Earl.
“Bringing SA20 here, the first year was that we have to show something, and ever since then, we’ve set the standard and every season when it’s here; we have to live up to those standards and also to do better. So yes, it’s a little bit of pressure, but we also enjoy ourselves,” adds Earl.
Their loyalty lies with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape team. “We’re all Sunrisers,” Earl says with a laugh. “It’s been amazing to be part of their journey.”
- Location :
Gqeberha (South Africa)