Band Biography
Antonia
Antonia is the founder of “African Queen”, She was born in Mozambique where she had a keen interest in music. After moving with her family to the UK in 1992 she decided to pursue this further and achieved Guildhall certifications in contemporary keyboard. She has always had an interest in writing and composing songs of which she has done many.
She is a competent player of keyboards, piano and especially drums. She has a large repertoire of original songs and covers of contemporary pop rock and African pop. Antonia gained her experience on performing live in large audience when she joined eight piece function band based in Oxford called Salsanero. She also has experience in Studio work.
Martyn
Martyn (Percussionist) played drums in various function bands as a teenager. His favoured music growing up was Tamla Motown, Soul, Ska, Bluebeat, Rock Steady, Reggae, Lovers Rock & Jazz Funk. Drummers from Mod bands such as The Who (Keith Moon) & The Small Faces (Kenney Jones) and those with their roots in blues & jazz, such as The Rolling Stones (Charlie Watts) & Cream (Ginger Baker) then later percussionists Ray Cooper (Various) & Alvin ‘Seeco’ Patterson (Bob Marley & the Wailers) were huge influences. After a break from music becoming a Christian & joining a Pentecostal Church opened the door to a return to drumming by way of playing in Church worship bands & with Unity Gospel Choir at services, outreach meetings & charity events. Along the way came offers to join with some of the best local musicians, singers, electric acoustic duos, trios, jam night housebands, Malta's top artist William Mangion & bands such as Essential Motion & Skasouls playing percussion on gigs, recordings & promotional videos.