Bokani Dyer Trio (ft. Simon Manana) at Hugh's Jazz Club

Bokani Dyer is a multi-award-winning jazz artist, pianist, composer and producer, internationally recognised for his genre-blurring sound, deeply expressive compositions, and captivating live performances. Born in 1986 in Gaborone, Botswana—where his father, celebrated musician Steve Dyer, was living in exile during apartheid—Dyer returned to South Africa in 1990 and grew up in Johannesburg. His formal training culminated in a degree in jazz performance from the University of Cape Town, where he graduated with distinction.

Widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in contemporary South African jazz, Dyer has released six albums under his own name. His most recent, Radio Sechaba (2023), was released through Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings, and explores themes of identity, unity, and belonging. The album has been praised for its innovative blend of traditional jazz, soul, and groove-based rhythms. It follows a rich discography that includes Neo Native (2018)—a Bokani Dyer Trio album which won the South African Music Award (SAMA) for Best Jazz Album in 2019, Kelenosi (2020)—a self-produced lockdown project—and earlier works like World Music (2015), Emancipate the Story (2011), and his debut Mirrors (2010).

Dyer's reputation was established early on with several major accolades: he was the Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz in 2011, and the winner of the prestigious SAMRO Overseas Scholarship in 2009, which allowed him to study with jazz luminary Jason Moran in New York. These formative experiences catalysed a career marked by continuous evolution and boundary-pushing creativity.

His collaborative spirit is central to his work. In addition to his solo career, he leads the Bokani Dyer Trio, which has toured widely and shared stages with international stars. In recent years, Dyer has performed at esteemed festivals and venues across the globe, including Ronnie Scott’s (UK), North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands), Musiques en Été (Switzerland), Festival Métis (France), Safaricom Jazz Festival (Kenya), and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (South Africa). He has also been invited to participate in important cultural events such as the SA/Russia Cultural Seasons, and the re-launch of Mahube, a pan-African collaboration project he co-directed with his father.

In 2024, Dyer took the stage at the Winter Jazz Fest and Unity Jazz Festival in New York City, further solidifying his international presence. 2025 saw the Bokani Dyer Trio embark on a high-profile U.S. tour with performances at premier venues including SFJAZZ, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Sam First, Century Room, and the Piedmont Piano Company.

A prolific collaborator, Dyer has worked with jazz legends like Feya Faku and Shabaka Hutchings. His versatility extends to film, having composed the score for the acclaimed South African film Catching Feelings (2017), and more recently Sabbatical (2025). He also remains an active producer for emerging artists.

In 2022, he completed his Master of Music at the University of Pretoria, and in 2023 launched In Conversation With..., a thought-provoking YouTube series exploring the role of artists in society. Guests have included Thandi Ntuli and Siya Mthembu of The Brother Moves On, with whom Dyer reflects on how art can respond to the times.

Whether performing on world stages, composing introspective sonic journeys, or engaging in meaningful dialogue about the role of creativity, Bokani Dyer continues to expand the boundaries of jazz—while staying rooted in a deeply South African musical identity.

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