Bokani Dyer Trio

($20-$30 tickets | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) South African pianist and bandleader Bokani Dyer returns to the Century for a fantastic evening of music!

Bokani Dyer (piano) Tim Norton (bass) Lumanyano Mzi (drums)

Bokani Dyer, an acclaimed pianist, composer, and bandleader, is one of South Africa’s most formidable and creative talents. He explores musical traditions and their cultural roles, deeply engaging with the complex question of identity. Hailed as the future of South African Jazz, he won the Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year award in 2011 and continues to earn accolades worldwide. His trio album Neo Native won the 2019 SAMA award for Best Jazz Album, and that year, he performed at London’s iconic Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.

Dyer innovatively embraces tradition to build a more equitable future, reflecting this in his distinctive piano style and contemporary musical concepts. His latest album, Radio Sechaba (Brownswood, 2023), merges his diverse influences, highlighting his vocal and lyrical exploration.

In spring 2025, he brings his trio to the U.S., delivering infectious rhythms, African-inspired melodies, and virtuosic piano. A rising star on the global stage, Dyer blends modernism with tradition, forging a signature sound rich in heritage yet refreshingly original.

“Merges modernistic language with traditional streams… a unique signature indebted to his homeland’s history yet free of clichés.” — Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz