Joy of jazz to hit high note with Dyantyis

Jazz music lovers attending the upcoming Standard Bank Joy of Jazz can expect a multi-layered performance from award-winning jazz trumpeter Mandisi Dyantyis. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane Independent Newspapers

Jazz music lovers attending the upcoming Standard Bank Joy of Jazz can expect a multi-layered performance from award-winning jazz trumpeter Mandisi Dyantyis. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane Independent Newspapers

Published Sep 3, 2024

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Jazz music lovers coming to the upcoming Standard Bank Joy of Jazz (SBJOJ) can expect a multi-layered performance from award-winning jazz trumpeter Mandisi Dyantyis, who will be accompanied by a string quartet on the day.

This year, the two-day jazz festival will celebrate its 25-year milestone armed with a bold line-up of performances which includes the likes of Feya Faku, Sibongile Mngoma, Lizz Wright, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Tutu Puoane, Spha Mdlalose and many others.

The 2024 edition takes place on September 27 and 28 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

All in all, at least 50 world-class musicians from more than 10 regions including Africa, Europe, the Americas and East Asia will perform across five stages in two days.

Speaking to “The Star” ahead of his performance at the Conga stage, Dyantyis revealed that his performance will reflect both his South African and international roots.

“My performance at the Joy of Jazz will be threefold and full on South African, African and international inspired show. While it will be bold and layered, it will be receptive to local and international audiences as I will be performing with a string quartet,” he said.

The multi-award-winning artist, composer, arranger and producer is known for uniting the jazz idiom with Western classical and African indigenous music as well as his electrifying sold-out performances.

Over the past decade, he has built a name for himself as a prolific composer for film, stage and television.

Between studying and recording new music and performing with his newly formed Mandisi Dyantyis Jazz Orchestra, which has several dates at various venues including the South African State Theatre. Last year, Dyantyis collaborated with his “homeboy” and super athlete when he was commissioned to write music for “Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story”, a documentary about the rugby captain.

Reflecting on this project, Dyantyis said working on the project was easy as he was familiar with Kolisi’s story.

“Working with Siya Kolisi was really special and easy because we are literally from the same place and upbringing. It was easy to bring all the emotions into life. As a person, Kolisi is a great person who is about uplifting and development of people and communities. He really loves South Africa and its people,” he said.