Session recording
Send stems, a rough, or just a reference. You get back DI + mic'd amp tracks, tempo-locked and labelled, ready to drop into your session.
- — WAV stems + DI
- — Two rounds of revisions
- — 48h typical turnaround
Michael Bester Session guitarist
Mix-ready guitar tracking for albums, jingles, film and live sets. Live guitar for world-class productions. Electric, acoustic or nylon. I deliver every time, on time.
01 — About
From the studio
I've spent 25 years learning the difference between a part that's impressive and a part that's right. My job on your track is to find the tone, the feel, and the part that adds exactly what the track needs, nothing more.
Electric, acoustic, nylon, and a room full of amps and pedals to match the brief. I read charts, I take direction well, and I deliver stems labelled the way an engineer actually wants them.
- DI + mic'd amp on every take
- Revisions until it's right
- Highly versatile - Specialist in jazz, pop, rock, acoustic and African styles
- Experienced composer, arranger and producer
...to the stage
On big stages all over the world, my job on live shows is to deliver solid rhythm section playing, big leads when the moment calls for it, and making life easy for the producer or musical director, so they can focus on the big picture.
I am an expert at "getting the tone" for all styles of music, a strong music reader and confident improviser in many styles, from jazz, to rock, pop, African and country/folk
- Live TV: The Voice, Idols, Strictly Come Dancing, Noot vir Noot
- Artists: Mango Groove, Loyiso Bala, Lira, Dr Tumi, Nils Landgren
- Live shows: RMB Starlight Classics, Symphonic Rocks, Huisgenoot Skouspel
02 — The Reel
Hear it in context.
A short spread of parts across genres — same player, different rooms. Audio up top, video sessions below.
Another Song (edit) - Steve Umculo (feat. Soweto Gospel choir)
Afro-pop · Stratocaster · Electric guitars and solo
Talk to me (edit) - Steve Umculo
Pop-rock · Stratocaster · Electric guitars and solo
We're Alright (edit) - Steve Umculo (feat. Soweto Gospel choir)
Epic rock · Stratocaster · Electric guitars
What about now (edit) - Jeremy Olivier
Pop-rock · Stratocaster · Electric guitars and solo
High Rollers Opening Theme - From the soundtrack to the series "High rollers"
Rock/Afro · Stratocaster · Funk main riff/clean afro fills/big rock rhythm/leads
Riding the Hog - From the soundtrack to the movie "Semi-soet"
Country · Stratocaster/Martin acoustic · Acoustic rhythm/Country lead
03 — Credits
Selected credits.
A running list of records, artists, and projects. Sorted by year, most recent first.
STUDIO RECORDINGS:
2025
Pat Blake and the Bad Hombres — "Sundown" (album, Americana/folk)
Electric and acoustic guitars
Recorded at Milestone Studios, Cape Town
2024
Steve Umculo — "Elements" (album, Afro-pop)
Electric guitars
Recorded at High Seas Studios, Johannesburg
2021
Sarah Blake — "The Journey" (EP, folk)
Acoustic guitar, nylon guitar
Recorded in-studio in Cape Town
2019
Michael Bester — "Now, not yet" (album, jazz)
Composition, guitars
Self-produced, recorded at Sound and Motions Studios, Cape Town
2018
Dan Shout — "Secret Weapons" (album, jazz)
Electric guitars
Recorded at Nuthouse Studios, Cape Town
2016
Mango Groove — "Faces to the sun" (album, Afro-pop)
Electric guitars
Recorded at Orangotang Studios, Johannesburg
2015
High Rollers (series) — Original Score
Composition, all guitars
In-studio, co-composer of full score
2015
Jeremy Olivier — Self-titled (album, pop)
Electric and acoustic guitars
Recorded at Gorilla Music, Johannesburg
2012
Semi-soet - SAFTA winner for Original Music Composition for Feature film 2013
Composition, all guitars
In-studio, co-composer of full score
LIVE PRODUCTIONS:
2022-2026
RMB Starlight Classics
Electric and acoustic guitars
Guitarist on annual live production with full orchestra
2015-2018
The Voice SA
Electric and acoustic guitars
Pre-recorded and live in-studio rounds
2013-2018
Huisgenoot Skouspel
Electric and acoustic guitars
Annual arena production at Sun City
2014-2016
Noot vir Noot
Electric and acoustic guitars, vocals
Studio recorded show, live band
2013-2015
Idols SA
Electric and acoustic guitars
Pre-recorded and live in-studio rounds
2014
Presidential inauguration
Electric and acoustic guitars
Live inauguration of president Jacob Zuma, at the Union Buildings
2013-2014
SA Music Awards
Electric and acoustic guitars
Live broadcast awards show
2011
Mango Groove
Electric guitar
Live, studio and touring guitarist (2009-2015). Recorded "Live in concert" DVD
04 — Services
Three ways to put guitar on your project.
Live performance
Dep, touring, or one-off shows — a reliable pair of hands who shows up prepared, in-ear ready, and easy to work with on stage and off.
- — Charts learned ahead
- — Own backline & IEMs
- — Fly dates welcome
Arrangement & parts
Not sure what the song needs? I'll write and demo guitar arrangements — hooks, counter-lines, and texture beds that lift the production.
- — Multiple part options
- — Reference-matched tones
- — Producer-friendly stems
Genres & styles
Pop
Jazz
Rock
Funk / RnB
Cinematic / Score
Country
Worship
05 — Rates & Booking
Simple Rates
Every project's different — these are starting points. Tell me about yours and I'll send a quote within a day.
Per track
from $150
(R2500)
One song, remote. DI + amp stems, two revisions, delivered in 48 hours.
EP / Album — most popular
Custom
Multi-song rate with a per-track discount. Consistent tones across the record.
Live & touring
Day rate
Rehearsals, shows, and fly dates. Rate depends on scope and travel.
Start a booking
Send the essentials and I'll reply with availability and a quote. Prefer to talk first? Feel free to email me directly.
✎ michaelbesterguitar@gmail.com
06 — In their words
"Working remotely, Mike has done several guitar sessions for me and always delivers what is needed. He brings both musical feel and technical prowess to his playing - a combo not always easy to find."
"I’ve booked Michael for everything from musicals to studio recordings to live events. Mike is always on time, always prepared and a real joy to work with."
"Mike gets the right sound, style and vibe every time - a seasoned professional that always delivers, seamlessly. My go to guitarist for anything in studio or on stage."
07 — Contact
Let's make some music.
Based in Cape Town, tracking for artists, agencies and producers worldwide. Send a note and let's talk about your recording project.