Bokani dyer is a pianist who is component of the brand new wave of South African jazz. He has likewise gone far for themself as a singer with a measured, lively vocal.
Dyer matured along with the songs of Rub Metheny, Khadja Nin and Oliver Mtukudzi. He is determined through contemporary singer-songwriters like Erykah Badu, Glen Lewis and also Nat King Cole.
About Bokani Dyer
Bokani Dyer, pianist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, is just one of a brand new generation of Peninsula Community jazz musicians. His songs is actually embeded in standard SA jazz however his influences take him into the greater planet, causing abundant as well as immersive popular music that places him among the new age of contemporary South African jazz music performers.
A victor of the Standard Banking company Young Performer honor in 2011, his career so significantly has actually observed him playing in Sweden, Norway as well as New York, in addition to attending on the launching cd by saxophonist Sisonke Xonti. He has actually also been a normal contributor to the Jazzafrika Legacy Procedure at the Pilgrimage jazz club, transcribing as well as doing jobs from previous decades.
Dyer’s latest report, Radio Sechaba, takes an extensive strategy to the noise of his popular music, combining aspects of home, R&B and also condiment. It includes a slightly various selection on each monitor, including tenor saxophonist Linda Sikhakhane, alto saxophonist Mthunzi Mvubu, trumpeter Ndabo Zulu, bassist Benjamin Jephta and also drummer Sphelelo Mazibuko. OFFICIAL WEBSITE
The cd opens up along with a vibrant stanza of solo piano introspection, which segues right into an established tune utilized to introduce the rest of the band. The very first voice monitor, Ke Nako (‘ Lets develop the nation, it is actually opportunity’) features Tomeletso Sereetsi, a vocal coming from Botswana where his papa Steve was actually a social activist as aspect of the Medu Fine art Set in exile in the course of racism.
Liberate the Account
As the title of this particular cd proposes, there is a feeling of freedom as well as liberation in this popular music. It’s a vast as well as deep-seated set that’s firmly originated in the dirt of South Africa, yet along with a very clear feeling of purpose that sets it in addition to a lot jazz made through artists of Dyer’s age within this nation. He partners with a well-matched team, with pros like bassist Shane Cooper and also saxophonist Pal Wells playing to brand new ideas together with standout novices including percussionist Fassie Kock.
It’s an extremely achieved document, one that is actually been developing in my devotions for a year or even additional. The position track Lecture is a droning blues canal, along with Bokani’s piano supplying a sporting center of gravity. The band is able to relocate in between vocal-like near consistency and also vast open harmonisation effortlessly, adding added levels of dramatization.
In the years given that winning the Criterion Banking company Young Artist honor, Bokani has actually been establishing his audio along with a stable diet of nearby performance and touring. A Pro Helvetia moneyed post degree residency in Switzerland in 2014 assisted him to more cultivate his sight, and the quartet that emerged coming from it is actually a powerful force to be considered. This album, supported through a dual bassist Romy Brauteseth as well as drummer Sphelelo Mazibuko, is his very most proficient work to day.
Planet Songs
Among South Africa’s the majority of prodigious key-board abilities, Bokani Dyer’s approach to jazz music integrates components of electronic music with R&B, Afro-Latin, and also elegant. His having fun is at the moment inventive– his use the piano’s middle sign up is actually virtually unlike any person else’s– and also elegant, commonly as affirmative as it is analytical. After researching with Jason Moran in The Big Apple, he launched his launching Exemplifies in 2010, then succeeded the Criterion Bank Youthful Musician Award and also gave out Emancipate the Account and Oscillations in 2013.
Dyer’s most recent album, Radio Sechaba, was actually captured at Workshop 88 in Peninsula Community. It reflects a maturation and deepness of thought that advises his creative quest has come complete circle. The record is actually a research study in quality. In comparison to the flow of his student attempt, the tunes on Broadcast Sechaba do stagnate in a single path yet check out a variety of state of minds as well as emotional states. The look for reality is actually an usual concept.
While Radio Sechaba is actually songs for ‘jazz’ supporters, it possesses vast appeal that must reach well past the genre. Absolutely, it would certainly have sounded with the late Moses Molelekwa, that– along with Dyer’s father, pro saxophonist Steve Dyer– became part of the revolutionary multi-disciplinary fine arts aggregate Medu, which worked coming from Gaborone under racism. Medu produced movies, organized theater, placed craft shows as well as imaginative workshops as well as promoted Black awareness.
Broadcast Sechaba
After gaining recognition for his sextet Liberate the Account, pianist Bokani Dyer throws a curveball on this collection. Adding vocals, the stylistic scope ends up being wider as well as a lot more unique– although piano as well as computer keyboards stay at the primary. He also handles spirit and also singer-songwriter determines while re-examining principles like nation-building and also unity.
Recorded for Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood tag, Radio Sechaba is Dyer’s first cd to include vocals. It returns the nation-building stories of his Botswana training, resolving motifs such as the need for presence as well as personal freedom. He is sustained through singers like Tomeletso Sereetsi, Linda Sikhakhane as well as Amaeshi Ikechi on the right track including the reflective ‘Tiya Mowa’ – with beautiful harmonies that suggest a David Crosby impact.
On ‘Ke Nako’ (‘permits create the country, it is actually opportunity’) the carolers is a lot more striking – a phone call for humankind and also a rousing acceptance of energy. It’s backed by a strong ensemble featuring piano, computer keyboards and also a sextet of saxophones led through Linda Sikhakhane and also Sthembiso Bhengu plus guitar players Alder du Toit and Shane Cooper.
Rhythmic and also enthusiastic, the file is richer and even more extensive than his earlier work – although the sonic color scheme still features factors of jazz, Afrobeat, planet music and also modern soul. It is actually a soaring as well as motivating listen closely that spots Dyer among South Africa’s many cutting-edge artists.