Andile Yenana

FEATURED SONG

Album:

Released: Aug 25, 2005

Label:

Genre: Jazz
Location Johannesburg, ZA
Profile Views: 12088
Last Login: 10/15/2009
Member Since 12/17/2006
Website andileyenana.com
Record Label Sheer Sound
Type of Label Indie
Bio
South African pianist Andile Yenana first attracted attention as a sideman on Zim Ngqawana's early recordings, where his McCoy Tyner-ish playing served as a perfect complement to Ngqawana's Coltrane-like energy. In 2002 Sheer Sound released his debut, We Used to Dance, which drew upon these themes. But it would be a mistake to categorize Yenana as a modal player locked in that mold, because he's capable of much more. His followup, the mostly quintet album Who's Got the Map?, offers plenty of evidence. Witness the Monkish clusters and irregular comping on the opening “Pedal Point,” which centers around a harmonized theme by the horns (saxophonist Sydney Mnisi and trumpeter Sydney Mavudla) until Yenana steps out on his own into a swirling, syncopated, swinging solo statement. The pianist is at his best when he experiments with time and dynamics, introducing a heavy dose of punchy angularity into otherwise straightforward music. Courtesy of Nil Jacobson (All About Jazz)
Members
Andile Yenana on Piano Jimmy Mngwandi on Upright Bass Clement Benny on Drums Sydney Mnisi on Saxophone Sydney Mavundla on Trumpet
Influences
All the forms of Urban Black Music!
Sounds Like
Chris McGregor, Thelonious Monk, McCoy Tyner, Abdullah Ibrahim, Blue Notes, Jazz Epistles, etc