member profiles

The Banana Plant creative team consists of Sid Berger and Gwynn Torres, both New Orleans-born-and-bred songwriters who spent years in the creative heart of the advertising industry. Having raised creative children themselves, they have a never-ending passion for lighting the spark of creativity in kids of all ages. The Banana Plant is dedicated to inspiring kids to love music as much as we do. They grow the music that makes you sing along - music that makes you want to move. And it's music that parents love, too! Sid and Gwynn were nominated for a GRAMMY® in 2012 for Best Children's Album.

A blues-influenced Americana guitarist and songwriter, Sid Whelan cut his teeth on rock & roll and charted on Midwestern indie college radio in the mid ‘80’s with his song “NY Taxi.” Early in his career, Whelan was lead guitarists with various world music acts including the Lijadu Sisters and later Afroblue, which also experienced indie radio success with their cover of Jimmy Cliff’s “You Can Get it if You Really Want.” Following the breakup of Afroblue, Sid left his guitars in their cases for the better part of a decade while he made a life and family in New York City. Now he’s back and again on the radio and web with Americana and Blues show airplay around the country of “Frisco Lines,” the rollicking country-blues opening track on his comeback album “Flood Waters Rising.”

Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Skender Beck is an Albanian born modern rock artist, whose debut album STARS ALIGNED was released on October, 2020.

Skye Delamey is a singer-songwriter, and musician. She has been playing piano for almost her entire life. She is an avid performer, songwriter, musician and vocalist. Her shows are described as: "Vaudevillian, "Moulin Rouge." From the heaviest of rock songs, to the softest of melodies, Skye Delamey's music explores, and brings to the audience, all of the above...and then some! The universal language of music in all it's limitless possibilities are explored in the music of Skye Delamey, with boldness, honesty, and sincerity. Each tale comes from the depths of her soul. From "Detention," to "Thor," "Girlfriend Muzzle," to "Oz," she has crossed genres in her career, pushed boundaries, and continues to bring us more.

Her voice grips the soul and fills you with the energy and passion that only rockin blues can provide. Highlights of her career so far have been sharing the Big Blues Bender stage with artists Kevin Burt, Paul DesLauriers, Annika Chambers and Terrie Obabi, as well as the recognition received by being nominated for a Josie Award, Blues Blast Award, Independent Blues Award and Under Consideration for a Grammy in 2022. However, her greatest joy comes from live performance, being able to touch the hearts of her audience, whether it's at the National Blues Museum, on a college campus, at a festival, or in a local pub, Skylar’s extraordinary talent shines.