In association with Concerts SA, blind pianist and singer Yonela Mnana is embarking on a nation-wide tour presenting his debut album, ‘Baba’. The second leg of this tour will see Yonela Mnana perform at selected venues around KwaZulu-Natal, after his successful Cape Town shows in November and before continuing his tour through Limpopo in 2017.
Many compare Yonela Mnana’s soul, jazz and classical music genius with Stevie Wonder or Ray Charles – although his singing, piano playing, composing, teaching and arranging skills are distinctly South African.
During the second week of December, Yonela Mnana will be performing his compositions in some of the best jazz stages in Durban, joined by the Jazz Cousins: a collaborative some of the best local musicians, in various formations. Leaded by Yonela Mnana on keys and vocals, the different line-ups will include Mandla Zikalala and Ildo Nandja on bass; and Stanley Matlou and Bucco Xaba on drums.
Yonela Mnana is a blind pianist and singer who grew up in Mamelodi (Pretoria). Born in the Transkei and schooled in Pietersburg, Mnana’s geographical traversals privileged him with a rich soundscape including African and Western choral styles, kwaito and R&B, soul, 90s popular music and traditional music in the auditory periphery of his missionary boarding school, Siloe.
While enrolling for a B.Mus at the University of the Witwatersrand evidenced a commitment to study music, the tutelage of Marian Friedman and Malcolm Nay (for classical piano studies), Nishlyn Ramanna, Andile Yenana, Mncedi Kupa and mentorship of bassist Jimmy Mngwandi ushered him into a real life jazz experience. Mnana has since played with his revered jazz masters elders including Zim Ngqawana (2005-6), Feya Faku, Herbie Tsoaeli, Sydney Mnisi, Clement Benny, Marcus Wyatt, Loraine Klasen, Bheki Khoza and Barnie Rachabane. To date, he has recorded with Lex Futshane, and Mandla Mlangeni’s the Amandla Freedom Ensemble on their respective debut albums.
He continually navigates the Joburg, Cape Town and Durban jazz club circuit with fellow musicians and friends such as Ariel Zamonsky, Sphiwe Shiburi Sisonke Xonti, Mthunzi Mvubu, Nhlnhla Mahlangu, Lindiwe Maxolo, etc. He is also embarking on other unrealeased projects by Mandla Mlangeni, Spha Mdlalose and an eclectic musical endeavour with London house deejay Q.B. Smith, school choral works with Soultee, South African School Choral Esteadford and Ezibeleni’s Vivacious sounds. He teaches at Ezibeleni School for Special Needs and studies towards his postgraduate degree in music at Wits University.
Yonela Mnana’s Baba Tour is supported by the Music Mobility Fund, a funding mechanism administered by Concerts SA which offers opportunities for South African musicians to undertake live music tours.
Concerts SA is a joint South African/Norwegian initiative housed under the auspices of the Stakeholder Hub within the SAMRO Foundation; it receives financial, administrative and technical support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the SAMRO Foundation and Concerts Norway. Working with musicians, promoters, venue owners and audiences, the project aims to support live music in South Africa by finding and implementing ways to create a vibrant and viable live music circuit. It also aims to develop an interest in and appreciation of live music by showcasing music performances and conducting workshops at schools. For more information please visit our website, follow @ConcertsSA on Twitter or like us on Facebook.
Artist Links
Events Listing
Durban – The Chairman
Saturday 10th December – 11pm – R 150
Address: 146 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Durban
Bookings: 079 753 6313 / info@thechairmanlive.com
Margate – South Coast Mall
Sunday 11th December – 1pm – No cover charge
Address: Izotsha Rd, Margate, 4265
Bookings: 039 315 7515 / JayneM1@redefine.co.za
Durban – Jazzy Rainbow
Wednesday 14th December – 7pm – R 60
Address: 93 Smiso Nkwanyana Rd (Ex Goble Rd), Morningside, Durban
Bookings: 031 303 8398 / jazzyrainbow@mweb.co.za
Dates for Yonela Mnnana in Limpopo will be announced in 2017.
