Andile Yenana

Andile Yenana is a celebrated South African jazz pianist, music director, composer, and educator. Born in King William’s Town, he began his career after studying at Fort Hare University and later under Darius Brubeck at the University of Natal. He gained recognition performing with Zim Ngqawana, contributing to all five of Ngqawana’s albums. Over the years, he has collaborated with artists like Steve Dyer, Sibongile Khumalo, and Louis Mhlanga, and co-founded the acclaimed jazz group Voice. His solo work, including the SAMA-nominated We Used To Dance, earned him a reputation for blending traditional Xhosa elements with modern jazz. Andile has toured extensively across Europe, Africa, and the U.S., performed at prestigious festivals such as North Sea Jazz and Joy of Jazz, and was named the 2005 Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz. Beyond performance, he is deeply committed to mentorship and cultural exchange, using his Margate home as a creative hub for musicians.