Errol Dyers (29 March 1952 – 21 July 2017) was a South African musician, composer and guitarist and pioneer of Cape jazz/goema.

Errol Dyers
Born(1952-01-21)21 January 1952[1]
South Africa
Died21 July 2017(2017-07-21) (aged 65)
Cape Town, South Africa
GenresJazz, South African music
OccupationMusician
InstrumentGuitar
Years active1973-2017
LabelsGoema, Cape Jazz

Career

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Dyers came from a musical family but taught himself music playing on the streets of Cape Town, and became known for his pioneering fusion of Cape jazz and goema. He performed alongside numerous other musicians, including Abdullah Ibrahim, Basil 'Manenberg' Coetzee, Robbie Jansen and Winston Mankunku.[2][3]

Dyer was a member of the Sheer All Stars along with Paul Hanmer, McCoy Mrubata, Sipho Gumede and Frank Paco.

Colleague Molly Baron described him as “a genius” with the guitar and said that “had Errol been born in England or in America he would have been recognised as one of the world’s greatest guitarists.” [2]

Discography (incomplete)

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Death

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Dyers died of emphysema in Cape Town aged 65.

References

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  1. ^ "Cape Jazz Hero: Errol Dyers – Fruit Vendor". Archived from the original on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  2. ^ a b Folb, Luke (22 July 2017). "Cape jazz giant Errol Dyers dies". iol.co.za.
  3. ^ "Errol Dyers, Cape guitar legend, dies aged 65". enca.com. 22 July 2017. Archived from the original on 21 October 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  4. ^ "Dyers, Errol (South Africa)". music.org.za.