The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra is partnering with trumpeter Mandisi Dyantyis in two concerts titled, Mandisi Dyantyis: A Symphonic Celebration on 11 and 12 July 2025 at Artscape at 20:00. The shows are supported by the City of Cape Town.
One of the current leading artists of South African music, Mandisi unites the jazz idiom with Western classical and African indigenous music.
His concert at Kirstenbosch in Cape Town earlier this year was sold out, and his only other appearance with the CPO, in a variety gala, had fans on their feet, says Louis Heyneman, CEO of the CPO.
“Presenting an artist like Mandisi fits perfectly into the CPO’s mission as an orchestra for all and we know that many of our audience goers will enjoy being exposed to what may be a new genre of excellent music. It’s also a first for him, being accompanied in his own concert by the country’s foremost orchestra , backing his music and vocals and with the full symphonic sound.”
The Dyantyis playbook
The Artscape gigs will feature some of his songs such as Somandla, Isigidimi, Impumelelo, Ingoma Yenkedama, Molo Sisi, Ndimthanda, Cwaka and Mabaphile, but there is bound to be new additions and surprises.
Twenty years ago, Mandisi, who started to play the trumpet when he was eight in his home town of Gqeberha, began to establish himself as a trumpeter and singer, joining the UCT Big Band while studying for his BA Hons in Jazz Studies.
Since then he has earned a MMus with distinction. released two albums – Somandla and Cwaka – and worked with some of South Africa’s musical icons such as Jimmy Dludlu, the Abdullah Ibrahim Big Band, Robbie Jansen, Max Vidima and Moreira Chonguiça. He also toured the world with the Isango Ensemble Theatre Company and was nominated for a American NAACP Award (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Los Angeles) for Best Musical Director.
In 2010, he became Artist in Residence at the New York University Drama School. A multifaceted artist, Mandisi was in 2022 one of six South African artists featured on a MultiChoice Origins campaign, and lectured and curated stories with visual artist Nelson Makamo at Harvard University in Boston. He has been commissioned to write music for “Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story”, a documentary about the South African rugby captain.
He has composed music for “Nina: By Whatever Means” a ballet inspired by the artistry and activism of Nina Simone. Twice, he has been the only South African artist selected to perform at Herbie Hancock’s International Jazz Day Global Concert.
What: Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra A Symphonic Celebration Mandisi Dyantyis
When: 11 and 12 July 2025
Where: Artscape Theatre, Cape Town, 8pm
Tickets: Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421 7695 and at Webtickets
WS
