LIVE at Piedmont Piano Company
Steve Dyer & Aaron Rimbui
South African composer, saxophonist and visionary artist Steve Dyer joins forces with the inimitable Kenyan pianist Aaron Rimbui for an intimate musical conversation. Steve and Aaron’s rapport is exceptional. Come along for an engaging performance and a unique opportunity to find out how these unique personalities interact, and various African musician traditions are woven into the artform of jazz.
General Admission
$25 in advance / $30 at the door
We are offering a limited number of seats for this performance. Advanced purchase is recommended. Masking is no longer required.
“Steve Dyer… is a visionary, a pioneer and a symbol of a new Africa.” –Vasco Zama Ndebele, Cue magazine
“Rimbui seems poised to emerge as one of the leading figures of African jazz, a gorgeously lyrical player and an outstanding composer with something truly unique to offer.” –Seton Hawkins, All About Jazz
STEVE DYER
Steve Dyer is a saxophonist, flautist, composer, and conceptual artist, whose music and biography make him an exceptional example of a South African Jazz Artist. From the 1980s to 2020s, his music has been reflecting the times. Refusing military conscription into the SADF he left South Africa and lived in Botswana for 5 years. Here he came into contact with the exile sounds blowing through the horns of Hugh Masekela and Jonas Gwangwa. This included historic Freedom Melody festival in 1985, featuring art and music that was symbolic of the liberation struggle. 40 years later, Steve Dyer’s next project, entitled Freedom Melody and celebrating the story of the festival will be performed at the Lincoln Center, NY, in October 2025. At the same time, he releases a new album, Multipolar, which reflects different elements of Steve Dyer’s cultural makeup as an Anglo-African. Born into, and influenced and shaped by Africa, this music originates here and casts its creative eyes outward to a global world of accessibility and connection. We all have our stories to tell, and we can all learn from each other’s stories. stevedyermusic.com
AARON RIMBUI
While Aaron Rimbui is inspired by many of South African Jazz’s piano masters, ultimately the style he has forged over the 20 years of his career represents something fully unique to himself: Kenyan Jazz Piano. “As a Kenyan, I wanted to come out with a different sound and different approach.” Known for his virtuosity and innovative style, he combines traditional jazz elements with Kenyan rhythms, creating a captivating and unique sound. His latest recording in a piano trio setting, Imani, has garnered critical acclaim, and embraces this distinct style, and is the testament to healing, growth, and his personal journey. aaronrimbui.bandcamp.com/album/imani