Mandisi Dyantyis is a South African trumpeter and vocalist hailing from Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) in the Eastern Cape. I should be impartial and journalistic in my description of all my guests but I’ve never been one to favour professionalism over enthusiasm. Mandisi is one of my favourite South African musicians and composers. A self-proclaimed “choir boy”, he finally released his debut album “Somandla” in 2018 after decades working as the musical director for Isango Ensemble. The wait was worth it. He manages to balance superb songwriting, with classic jazz improvisation, and a live performance energy which inevitably results in audience members singing along, getting up off their seats to dance, so moved by the music. His concerts sell out in seconds (I’m not exaggerating here) and the degree to which he’s adored by South African audiences is both awesome and richly deserved. So I was very eager to have Mandisi on the podcast, in an attempt to share his music with many more people.

Tracks played:

– Kuse Kude

– Molweni

– Molo Sisi

– Somandla

– Ingoma Yenkedama

– Ndimthanda

South African musicians mentioned:

Nomfundo Xaluva

Bokani Dyer

Thandi Ntuli

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