Based: Cape Town

Bokani Dyer was born on the 21st of January, 1986 in Gaborone, Botswana. An auspicious setting in retrospect, where many exiled musicians and artists from South Africa, including Bokani’s father, musician Steve Dyer, were living in exile.

Currently based in Cape Town, Bokani Dyer is a rising star in the South African Jazz scene gaining momentum in a variety of different projects he is involved in. As Pianist, Composer and Producer, Dyer has made strides in his relatively short-lived career. He holds an Honors Degree from the University of Cape Town(with distinction) specializing in Performance and Composition. He has released 2 solo albums under his name to some critical acclaim : Mirrors (2010) and Emancipate the Story (2011) and an album currently in production due for release in 2015

– Chosen for a youth band by Andre Petersen that took part in a Summer Camp in Søgne in Norway (2006)
– Made the Standard Bank National Youth Band that toured and performed in various venues in Sweden (2006)
– Performed with his trio at the Swedish Jazz Celebration in Lulea as well as a performance at the famous Stockholm Jazz club, Fasching (2007)
– Runner-up in the SAMRO Overseas Scholarships competition which allowed Dyer to travel to New York where he was tutored by pianist Jason Moran (2009,2010)
– Awarded the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist Award which made it possible to record his second album Emancipate the Story. (2011)
– Top prize in the SAMRO Overseas Scholarships competition (2013)
– First European tour with the Bokani Dyer Quintet where he performed in Germany, Switzerland, Czech Republic and London (2014)
– Invited to perform on opening night of the London Jazz Festival 2014 at the Vortex Jazz Club (2014)