The diversity of Yonela Mnana’s musicianship is evident in in the roles he has taken on throughout his life – a jazz scholar, recording singer, jazz pianist, music educator and composer.

Born in the southern Transkei region of the Eastern Cape and schooled at the Siloe Boarding School for the Blind in Limpopo, his musical influences originate within the combination of Catholic school choral education, Sepedi culture and his home Xhosa identity.

He has over the years made himself at home in the various jazz clubs of Johannesburg, while performing throughout South Africa and abroad as a sideman, co-composer and developing band leader. Mnana continues to teach at Wits and privately and works toward providing his students with opportunities to find their own feet as South African jazz performers.

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