15 Feb 2015

Jazz pianist Bokani Dyer, who won the South African Jazz 2011 Standard Bank Young Artist Award on Friday (February 13), put up an inspired performance at Maitisong, as he came back to where it all started for him. 

Born in Gaborone in 1986 to his exiled musician father Steve Dyer who came from South Africa, Bokani came from a strong musical family and building on his musical heritage with unique flair.

“I’ve always had a love for music, but developed a liking for jazz from the age of 16 after I had been playing for a few years,” said the junior Dyer.  “I was introduced to jazz by my father, Steve Dyer, who used to play jazz music in the car and at home often,” he said.

Playing with two other renowned musicians also from Cape Town, Dyer brought the house down with his amazing piano skills. Bass player Shane Cooper and drummer Marlon Witbooi all from Cape Town also held their own and it was evident that they are artists who take their craft very seriously.

Having already released two albums to his name, Dyer was last year touring the world to sold out concerts in London, Germany and Switzerland among others.

Three years since the release of his album last year, Dyer said he is busy working on two solo albums to be released simultaneously this year. Speaking in an interview after his performance, Dyer said jazz is a beautiful art form which allows for deep exploration through spontaneous creativity. Dyer has been described as a very impressive young musician, technically skilled beyond his years and artistically creative in a wide array of jazz genres.

Dyer lists Bheki Mseleku, Moses Molelekwa, Andile Yenana, Winston “Mankunku” Ngozi, Robert Glasper, Herbie Hancock and Bobo Stenson as some of his jazz heroes. He indicated that the highlight of his career so far was performing in Botswana at a concert headlined by Oliver Mtukudzi and also featured his father Steve Dyer.

“I was born in Botswana and I will always have a special bond with this place,” he said. ENDS