Renowned jazz pianist Andile Yenana arrived in East London yesterday for a live recording, as well as to share some of his experience with budding musicians.
King William’s Town-born Yenana who won the prestigious 2005 Standard Bank Young Artist award for jazz has toured the country and the world with the likes of saxophonist Zim Ngqawana and trumpeter Fela Kuti.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday ahead of his live recording at the Miriam Makeba centre of performing arts (ECAVC) last night, he said the recording was a tribute to one of his favourite jazz musicians.
“There will be some new material but this recording is mostly songs by Retsi Pule who is a musician I admired as a child. He was someone we respected greatly and looked up to,” he said.
Yenana, who now teaches music at Gamalakhe FET College in Port Shepstone, said it was time to give the young upcoming musicians a chance.
“I feel it is important to give young people the stage now, without stepping on each others’ toes. I am at a stage where I feel I no longer have anything to prove.
“It is time to share as much of my experience and knowledge and give young players a bigger picture of the music journey,” said Yenana.
After obtaining a teaching diploma from the University of Fort Hare he took up music studies under the guidance of Darius Brubeck at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s centre for jazz and popular music.
Yenana has two recorded albums under his belt, We Used to Dance (2003) and Who’s got the Map? (2005).
He has won two South African Music Awards (Sama).
Having performed in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Norway and Paris, he said jazz music in East London was not as popular as other styles.
“The reception here is different. Jazz has been overshadowed by popular culture, but I do think that with all the energies brought together we can bring its popularity,” he said. –— ziphon@dispatch.co.za
Top jazz artist in EL for live recording, workshop
King William’s Town-born Yenana who won the prestigious 2005 Standard Bank Young Artist award for jazz has toured the country and the world with the likes of saxophonist Zim Ngqawana and trumpeter Fela Kuti.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday ahead of his live recording at the Miriam Makeba centre of performing arts (ECAVC) last night, he said the recording was a tribute to one of his favourite jazz musicians.
“There will be some new material but this recording is mostly songs by Retsi Pule who is a musician I admired as a child. He was someone we respected greatly and looked up to,” he said.
Yenana, who now teaches music at Gamalakhe FET College in Port Shepstone, said it was time to give the young upcoming musicians a chance.
“I feel it is important to give young people the stage now, without stepping on each others’ toes. I am at a stage where I feel I no longer have anything to prove.
“It is time to share as much of my experience and knowledge and give young players a bigger picture of the music journey,” said Yenana.
After obtaining a teaching diploma from the University of Fort Hare he took up music studies under the guidance of Darius Brubeck at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s centre for jazz and popular music.
Yenana has two recorded albums under his belt, We Used to Dance (2003) and Who’s got the Map? (2005).
He has won two South African Music Awards (Sama).
Having performed in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Norway and Paris, he said jazz music in East London was not as popular as other styles.
“The reception here is different. Jazz has been overshadowed by popular culture, but I do think that with all the energies brought together we can bring its popularity,” he said. –— ziphon@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos