Thembi Dunjana

One of South Africa’s most extraordinary piano talents, Thembi Dunjana has established herself as a rising star in Cape Town’s rich Jazz scene. Drawing upon varied influences that range from the American influences of John Coltrane, Erykah Badu, Horace Silver, and McCoy Tyner to South African legends like Moses Molelekwa and Bheki Mseleku, Thembi grew up in a highly musical household. Settling on Jazz piano later, once studying at the University of Cape Town, she rapidly established herself as one of the city’s truly innovative and fresh new voices both as a pianist and as a vocalist.

Drawing upon a stunning array of inspirations, Thembi released her debut album Intyatyambo in 2020. An ambitious 2-disc set that explores musical paths ranging from neo soul to Cape Town’s ghoema to hard-swinging Jazz, Intyatyambo earned Thembi rightful accolades across South Africa’s Jazz press, before winning her two Mzantsi Jazz Awards for Best Female Artist and Best Jazz Song in 2021.

Building upon the win, Thembi has gone on to headline at South Africa’s prestigious Jazz festivals and increasingly has built her own international profile, with appearances at the Oslo Jazz Festival as well as a United States debut at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

A dedicated educator in addition to musician, Thembi maintains an active YouTube presence with a series of highly popular tutorial videos, covering topics from soloing to professional guidance for young artists; as an educator she has lectured at institutions through the world including Columbia University.

With her follow-up album God Bless iKapa. God Bless Mzantsi., Thembi unites American and South African artists together in a magnificent quintet, performing original works that highlight her singular vision and extraordinary journey as an artist.

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