Jazz legend, Alvin Dyers has died at the age of 71 in Cape Town yesterday. Dyers has been lauded as having played a significant role in the evolution of Cape Jazz. He co-founded the band Sacred Legion with his brother Errol and was a key member of The Pacific Express during the 1980s. Dyers also received worldwide acclaim for his album Wesley Street.
Jazz legend, Alvin Dyers dies
MEC Ricardo Mackenzie says Alvin Dyers was a legendary figure in the Cape Jazz movement, recording artist, educator, and composer. Dyers was born in Harfield Village in 1953. His extraordinary talent became evident from a very young age.
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Mackenzie says by the age of 7, Alvin was already playing the guitar. This is a passion that would shape his life and the music landscape of the Western Cape.
Cape Town is mourning the loss of another music icon
Dyers was a founder of the band Sacred Legion, with his equally gifted brother Errol Dyers. He was a key member of The Pacific Express during the 1980s. Alvin is known to have played a significant role in the evolution of Cape Jazz. When it comes to performances, he has been spotted alongside legends such as Winston Mankunku, Ezra Ngcukana and Johnny Fourie. In this way, he contributed to the rich tapestry of South African music.
MEC Ricardo Mackenzie has extended his deepest condolences to the family of Alvin Dyers, his friends, and all those people who have experienced the magic of his music.
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MEC McKenzie says Dyers was more than just a musician but he was also a beacon of inspiration for aspiring artists. He says Dyers’ legacy will endure not only in the music he created but in the lives he touched as a teacher and mentor.
