There’s an indefinable magic about awesome music. It was our privilege to witness this last week, when we filmed and photographed Jason Hartman, 2009 SA Idols joint winner, and his band recording their second album in studio.

Jason’s significant musical success includes a number of hit singles, opening for Kelly Clarkson – the original American Idol – in March 2010, as well as opening for The Eagles during HRH Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock’s wedding celebrations in Monaco, and playing live at the Grand Prix there. He also starred in A Million Colours, a follow-up to the famous 1970’s e’Lollipop movie, released in September 2011 at the Toronto Film Festival. Shortly afterwards, A Million Colours opened the Hollywood Black Film Festival in LA, as the first foreign film to do so. Jason also co-wrote “I’m Alive” with Marius Brower and Sir Tim Rice, part of the soundtrack of “Jock” (Jock of the Bushveld), the first 3D animated film created in South Africa.

Not only does he ooze musical talent, but Jason has a great heart too, and has been contributing to conservation and community upliftment, assisting disadvantaged communities to grow sustainable green gardens and plant trees. Jason’s own Charity is Men of the Trees SA, part of an international organisation. He also recently launched Conservation Guardians with several global board members, in order to support anti-poaching – in particular rhino poaching – and other environmental issues in Southern Africa.

Here’s a photo of Jason’s brother, Scott Hartman, who is integral to the Band, in studio with his drum kit. What the guys are in the process of creating is simply amazing, so hold your breath, they are going to rock you!