Series dedicated to Dyers

Artscape’s heritage jazz series will be dedicated to jazz master Errol Dyers who dies on Friday July 21 after a lengthy battle with emphysema.

Dyers was scheduled to perform at the three-day Jazz Masters: Tribute to the Legends concert series set to take place from Thursday September 28 to Saturday September 30, alongside Hilton Schilder, McCoy Mrubata and Zylvia Mdunyelwa.

While the three-day jazz event will pay tribute to Dyers, the final production on Saturday September 30 will specifically be dedicated to his legacy as his brother, Alvin and band take to the stage to play some of his songs.

“The death of Errol is an immense loss to the arts and culture world,” says Artscape Theatre Centre CEO, Marlene le Roux.

“As a nation we are fortunate to have had such as person as Errol – an icon who shaped our freedom through song, utilising his music as part of the tradition of resistance against apartheid.

“He continuously strived towards inclusivity of all – an ethos which equally shapes the objectives of our theatre. Myself and the Artscape staff offer our most sincere condolences to his beloved wife, family, friends and the music industry at large.”

Dyers, who was 65, is considered one of the pioneers of African jazz called Goema.

“If there is anything Errol wanted was to get South African music on the platform it deserves, especially Cape Town music. He always believed that Cape Town music should be able to tell the stories of our people, our city and our country and he was always the guy encouraging musicians to make their music into a story that people could identify, especially Cape jazz,” says Craig Parks, associate producer for the Jazz Master Series.

Jazz Masters: Tribute to the Legends forms part of Artscape Theatre Centre’s Heritage Festival.

It will also include a concert by the world-renowned indigenous musician Dizu Plaatjies as he takes us on a “road trip” from Cape Town to the Homelands of Emampondweni and back to showcase the past and present work of his musical journey.

Tickets for all productions are available through Computicket or Artscape-Dial-a-Seat on 021 421 7695.