Organic Lounge is a trendy concept in background music, featuring a Café del Mar style DJ playing chill out music together with live jazz musicians. The whole effect is visually and aurally stunning and very contemporary without being too intrusive. Organic Lounge have played at a number of top venues including Sandton Convention Centre, Fashion TV Cafe, Sun City, to name a few.

DJ Ricky Hesselberg

Growing up in a musical family, Ricky developed an obsession with music at a very young age. Playing instruments from early childhood, and later dabbling in jazz has driven his musical taste to continuously expanded and include many different styles and genres to suit the musicians he plays with.

Ricky began DJing in 1999 when he developed a fascination for blending music. His career took off quickly when he moved London and became the resident DJ in a popular Covent Garden nightclub, The Langley. This prestigious position led Ricky to perform in and around London for the next 2 years.

On returning to South Africa, Ricky has performed extensively in the corporate market as well as clubs, bars and restaurants. Past clients include Otto De Jager, Leon Christodoulou (C SQUARE), Marc Hirschowitz (Concept Spark), Jill Groger, The Launch Factory, Capello, News Café and Fashion TV Cafe. He has also performed alongside Goldfish and Flash Republic on numerous occasions.

As a well known DJ in Johannesburg, Ricky has been interviewed on radio stations around the country and is often featured on 5fm and Good Hope fm performing guest mixes. He has a great ability to read any crowd and thus suit the vibe of an event perfectly.

Ayo Solanke - Saxophone

Ayo Solanke is a Nigerian born professional jazz & soul saxophonist. He is an arranger, composer and songwriter in contemporary music styles with almost two decades of experience.

Since his arrival in South Africa, he has become one of the most sought after performers both on stage and in the studios; having performed and recorded with some of the best artists and producers in South Africa. Notably Danny K, Vusi Khumalo, Lawrence Matshiza, Lesego, Don Laka, Pops Mohammed, Louis Mhlanga, Eric Paliani, Kunle Ayo, and Stix Hojeng.

He has also featured on various albums and recordings with the likes of Judith Sephuma, Hugh Masekela, Margarette Motsaphe, Dwala Lam and Sharon D, to mention a few. He has also had the opportunity of sharing the stage with international artists like: Ron Kenoly (USA), Masada Band (USA), Miguel Zenon (USA), Daguero (Belgium), Steve Rhodes (Nigeria), Cobhams (Nigeria), Wole Oni (Nigeria) etc.

Highlights of his careers include performances at
Cape Town Jazz Festival- Cape Town ‘08
Confederation Cup gala- Sandton ‘08
Afro café (feat Lira and Simphiwe Dana-dedication to Miriam Makeba) - ‘08
Joy of jazz – Jo’burg ‘07
Jazz by the river – Vereenigin ‘07
Secunda jazz & cultural festival – Secunda ‘07
Mpumalanga jazz & cultural fest – Witbank ‘06
Afro Café (Kunle Ayo) – Jo’burg ‘07
MUSON jazz Festival – Lagos, Nigeria – ’04 & ’05
Commonwealth head of government meeting – Abuja, Nigeria
Lagbaja’s Motherlan – Lagos, Nigeria ‘06
Miss Commonwealth Beauty pageant – Lagos, Nigeria

Ayo could be said to be one of the prominent rising stars in Africa, with an excellent track record dating back to his days in his home country, Nigeria.
He was the band leader of “Spectrum 4 Jazz ensemble”; a leading jazz band in Nigeria. He also became the band leader of “Steve Rhodes Orchestra”; a twenty-man orchestra who performed alongside Jonathan Butler, Habana sax from Cuba and other international artists.