Fresh from the successful tour of South Africa and Mozambique the multi award-winning local pianist Bokani Dyer and the stellar representatives of the Swiss jazz scene: Matthias Spillmann, Donat Fisch, Norbert Pfammatter and Stephan Kurmann will perform at Guga S’thebe Cultural Centre on Sunday 12.
This will be part of the Jazz in the Native Yards’ Art Day which starts at 1pm with an Art Exhibition with works by local artists. Come early to enjoy lunch from the variety food stalls while jazz DJs spin discs.
The complementary combination of contemporary South African and Swiss jazz was born at The Bird’s Eye Jazz Club in Basel when Dyer did his residency there in May 2014.
All four Swiss musicians had ties to South Africa, between them having played with such luminaries as Abdullah Ibrahim, Feya Faku, Hilton Schilder, Mac McKenzie, Marcus Wyatt, Herbie Tsoaeli and Makaya Ntshoko, and collaborating with another young South African musician was a natural progression. Dyer, the son of legendary South African musician Steve Dyer, reveals a heritage of diverse influences that embraces his roots as well as his context in the contemporary musical landscape of South Africa. Bokani Dyer creates jazz that is inspired, soulful and expressive, and the interpretation of his music by these four Swiss greats pays tribute to the long-standing influence of South Africa on the Swiss jazz scene, and celebrates and amply complements the piano virtuoso. Audiences can look forward to a sublime music experience with original compositions, a few carefully selected classics and some surprises from Dyer’s upcoming album.
The tour of South Africa and Mozambique took the group to a variety of venues, from township cultural centres right through to the finest jazz clubs. The Quintet performed at the prestigious opening slot of the Standard Bank Jazz Festival at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. The group performed at the Steve Biko Centre in Ginsberg in King William’s Town, the Eastern Cape and Johannesburg as well as in Maputo, Mozambique.
WHAT & WHERE: Jazz in the Native Yards, Guga S’thebe Cultural Centre, Washington St, Langa, Cape Town, 7455 see map
