These days, many youths have formed a negative reputation for themselves in the public eye. There are however those who don't give in to peer pressure.

One such example is a group of youths who decided to start a music band.

Since their debut in late 1999, Mahogany have performed in various functions both locally and abroad, and have made quite a name for themselves.

It all started back in September 1999 when Mandela Fubler and Russell Butler started to `jam' with a guitar and keyboards.

Then, later Mandela's father invited Russell, Machel Charles and Warren Simmons over to his house where they, along with Mandela, had a bigger `jam session' -- with Mandela on keyboards, Russell on guitar, Machel on the flute and Warren on drums.

And like so many garage bands, they got started with that session becoming the first organised rehearsal of Mahogany.

Later that month and wanting to continue with their music making, Mandela, Warren and Russell practised during lunchtimes in the music room of Mr.

Wendell `Shine' Hayward at Warwick Academy.

From there, things snowballed.

Mandela invited his friend Ryan Swan to practice and that lunchtime, Ryan went and immediately started on keyboards.

Not long after, Aaron Edness also joined the group on keyboards to play as Mandela's backup with chords and sometimes the melody line.

Ryan held up the base lines and Warren kept time on drums, with Russell strumming away on his guitar.

Every group needs a manager and soon Mahogany had theirs! Another friend, Zikomo Simmons jokingly said that he would like to be the group's manager. He quickly became serious when he heard them play.

You have to start somewhere -- and with luck playing a large part -- their first gig saw them performing at a senior citizens luncheon. The scheduled entertainment for the event had cancelled and Mahogany were asked by Shine Hayward if they would fill in at the last minute.

They accepted and although they had not had much practice, they were warmly received.

Other gigs quickly followed, with a Christmas concert for the Warwick Suzuki School of Music, and then an invitation from Shine Hayward to play at the Millennium festivities on New Years Eve in St. George's.

The bands entourage grew as they incorporated a technical producer. Justin Simmons was added to head the production department.

Numerous gigs followed including performances for a travel agents convention at the Fairmont Southampton Princess, which led to the group performing overseas in Milwaukee at another convention.

They also played at a cocktail reception for the Ross Blackie Talbot Charity Golf Tournament with the Bermuda National Youth Jazz Ensemble.

In July last year, the group and the Jazz Ensemble accompanied Ed Christopher and E. Michael Jones, Bermuda's town criers, to Lyme Regis in England for the Sir George Somers' festivities.

The group returned from England and immediately began preparing for their biggest gig yet, the Bermuda Jazz Festival.

They went into an intensive rehearsal schedule, closely supervised by Shine Hayward. After a performance at jazz-themed Harbour Night, they opened the Bermuda Jazz Festival 2000 with a solid performance, quickly winning over the crowd.

The group has cut back on their public performances due to school schedules but recently they performed at the Paget Primary Christmas concert.

They are currently working to update their repertoire and can soon be seen performing at the Somerset Brigade Band's annual concert, being held at St.

James Church on February 10.

And ever mindful of their roots, the group are grateful to their families and friends, especially Shine Hayward, the late Blackie Talbot, the National Youth Jazz Ensemble and the Bermuda public for all their support and encouragement.