Go Back
Johnny Dyani
First Name: 
Other Names: 
Last Name: 
Stage Name: 
Country: 
Born: 
D.O.D: 
Primary Language: 

Participations

81
Performer
4
Vocalist
4
Pianist
10
Bassist
1
Flutist
14
Composer
16
Songwriter
1
Liner Note Writer
4
Arranger
1
Keyboardist
1
Double Bassist
Bio
Johnny Dyani was a South African jazz musician and freedom fighter who defied apartheid's oppression through his music and activism. His music was a distinct double-bass combination of traditional African rhythms with American jazz. He began his musical journey with the Blue Notes, an influential multiracial jazz band in South Africa, before going into exile in Europe in the early 1960s. Dyani's activism complemented his artistry, as he vocally supported the anti-apartheid movement. His music conveyed powerful messages about freedom and human rights, notably in albums like "Witchdoctor's Son." Though he passed away at 40 in 1986, his legacy endures, serving as a reminder of the transformative potential of music and the enduring fight for justice.
Discography
Albums11
Detail at Club 7
Detail at Club 72017 • AlbumTracks: 5
Rejoice / Together: 40th Anniversary Series
Rejoice / Together: 40th Anniversary Series2014 • AlbumTracks: 12
Mbizo
Mbizo1996 • AlbumTracks: 4
Angolian Cry
Angolian Cry1985 • AlbumTracks: 7
Three
Three1984 • AlbumTracks: 8
Afrika
Afrika1983 • AlbumTracks: 10
Suburban Fantasies
Suburban Fantasies1983 • AlbumTracks: 7
Music For Xaba, Volume Two
Music For Xaba, Volume Two1979 • AlbumTracks: 5
Song for Biko
Song for Biko1979 • AlbumTracks: 5
Witchdoctor's Son
Witchdoctor's Son1978 • AlbumTracks: 10
Music For Xaba, Vol.1
Music For Xaba, Vol.11973 • AlbumTracks: 4
Label
Record Label associated with Johnny Dyani - past and current.
    Similar Artists
    Bheki Mseleku
    Bheki MselekuSouth Africa |1955| English
    Bheki Mseleku was a South African jazz pianist and composer known for blending traditional South African rhythms with modern jazz harmonies. He was introduced to jazz by his father. After becoming involved in the anti-apartheid movement, he was forced to leave South Africa and settled in London where he became a sought-after musician. Mseleku released several highly acclaimed albums, including "Timelessness" and "Beauty of Sunrise," before passing away at the age of 53. He's remembered as one of South Africa's greatest jazz musicians.
    Bokani Dyer
    Bokani DyerBotswana |1986| Tswana
    Bokani Dyer is a South African pianist, composer and bandleader known for his eclectic style that blends elements of jazz, classical and traditional African music. Bokani began his music career as a child prodigy, and was a winner of the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Jazz in 2008. He's released several albums, including "In a New York Minute" and "Ekaya," which have received critical acclaim and solidified his place as one of the leading figures in the South African jazz scene.
    Sipho Gumede
    Sipho GumedeSouth Africa |1952| English
    Sipho Gumede was a prominent South African jazz bass guitarist, born in 1949 in Cato Manor, Durban After beginning his career as a session musician in the 1970s, Gumede went on to establish himself as a successful solo artist and bandleader in the 1980s, releasing several acclaimed albums that fused traditional South African rhythms with jazz and other contemporary styles. Throughout his career, Gumede was a passionate social and political activist who used his music to draw attention to important issues such as apartheid and poverty. He collaborated with many other musicians and played a key role in the development of the South African jazz scene, earning numerous awards and accolades along the way. He passed away in 2004.
    Herbie Tsoaeli
    Herbie TsoaeliSouth Africa |1964| English
    Born: November 28, 1964 (age 56 years), Cape Town, South Africa Bassist, Composer and Arranger, Herbie Tsoaeli is the 2013 Best Jazz Album South African Music Award winner, for his debut album African Time. Better known as “uMalume” by most of his fans in the South African jazz scene, following his hit “Hamba No Malume” from the African Time album, Herbie’s music is a combination of different elements of South African music, and jazz.
    Ndabo Zulu
    Ndabo ZuluSouth Africa |1920| English
    Ndabo Zulu is an award winning South African musician, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and studio freelancer, currently based in Norway. His musical journey began at the age of 9 when he started taking lessons at The Field Band Foundation, initially playing steel drums and African marimbas. Later, he transitioned to the trumpet and joined Siyakhula Music Centre. Zulu's exposure to symphonic music at the KZN Youth Wind Band sparked his love for jazz. In 2009, he pursued a Diploma in Jazz/Pop Music and later became a trumpet tutor at the Durban Music School and Field Band Foundation. Zulu earned his Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Performance in 2017 and a master's degree from the Norwegian Music Academy. He has played, recorded, and toured extensively with esteemed artists.
    Mokhtar Samba
    Mokhtar SambaMorocco |1960| French
    Mokhtar Samba is a drummer and percussionist of Moroccan and Senegalese origin who has performed with some of the world's most renowned musicians, including Jaco Pastorius, Carlos Santana, and Youssou N'Dour. He's known for his innovative sonorities and mixing, combining western harmonies with African rhythms and Bedouin tunes. His music draws inspiration from his experiences with Salif Keita, Kante Manfila, Ousmane Kouyaté, and Cheikh Tidiane. Mokhtar's sensational solo album, Dounia, features collaborations with outstanding musicians like Woz Kaly, N'Doumbé Djengué, and Jean-Philippe Rykiel.
    Hervé Samb
    Hervé SambSenegal |1979| French
    Hervé Samb, also known as Hervé Sambe, is a virtuoso guitarist, composer, and respected producer born in Senegal. His musical journey started at age 9, driven by a fascination with the rhythms of Senegalese heritage and African-American culture. He gained recognition with the Herve Samb Quintet and collaborated with artists like Marcus Miller. Known for his "Jazz Sabar" style, blending traditional Senegalese rhythms with contemporary jazz, Hervé released acclaimed albums and reaffirmed his artistic identity with "JOLOF" in 2023, promoting values of openness, cultural diversity, and gratitude through his music.
    Karim Ziad
    Karim ZiadAlgeria |1966| Arabic
    Karim Ziad is a talented Algerian musician percussionist, drummer, singer, and composer. His unique style fuses North African music's richness with soulful jazz sounds. Starting in Algiers with a hard rock band, Ziad later pursued biology studies in Paris, where he immersed himself in the vibrant jazz scene. His exceptional jazz drumming caught the attention of renowned artists like Cheb Mami, Khaled, and Idir, leading to collaborations with other notable musicians. A trailblazer in contemporary jazz and North African music, Ziad's innovative compositions resonate worldwide, leaving a lasting impact on the global music community, inspiring artists and enthusiasts alike.
    Lionel Loueke
    Lionel LouekeBenin |1973| French
    Lionel Loueke is a guitarist and vocalist from the Republic of Benin. He started out learning percussion instruments when he was 9 years old, before picking up the guitar at age 17. Over the course of his career, Loueke has studied at various prestigious musical institutions and worked with various musicians from around the world. In 2008, he released his major-label debut album, "Blue Note. And ever since, he's gone on to work on and releases over 30 albums.