Mark Haze

Best known as the popular runner-up in SA Idols 2011, Mark Haze is living his lifelong dream of being a successful recording and touring artist. 

Bruce Springsteen, Duran Duran and Queen captured Mark’s attention when he was knee high and he could be found belting out the hits in front of the hi fi, often making the living room his stage for performances to family friends.  At the age of seven, Mark was captivated by musical instruments and he spent hours negotiating with his parents to buy him a guitar, which inevitably became his 24-hour hobby.  He took a keen interest in blues, and idolized the likes of Eric Clapton, BB King and Muddy Waters.

As a teenager, Mark’s father’s LP collection of rock music caught his attention, and this inspired him to start writing his own songs. He studied theory of music, as well as history and beauty of music through the ages.  Bach, Beethoven, Mozart and Tchaikovsky helped to show him the other end of the spectrum of what he refers to as "the universal language called music". These foundations are strongly evident in both his songwriting and vocal and stage performance.

Playing one instrument was not enough and in order to try to fulfill his insatiable love of music, Mark learned how to play the drums, had a go at the trumpet and harmonica and even took classical guitar lessons.  He performed in a few Jazz bands during school, and also started playing drums in the school orchestra and marching band. Mark soon formed his first professional band, 12th Avenue, which is still operational today.  The group recorded 4 albums, producing two chart topping singles on a number of respected radio stations.

In 2010, Mark went to the America on a part holiday, part record label hunt. Here he won “The American Idol Experience” – a shortened day-long version of the television show.  This experience encouraged him to enter SA Idols competition in 2011, where he finished in second place and was a firm favourite amongst South African audiences.

Mark’s debut album ‘Where Angels Fear To Fly’ was released in June 2012 and has already had two respectable hits. He continues to tour throughout South Africa, along with his band members Bjorn Faree, Gareth Haze and Brian Lee.