Blind Pianist, Singer, Composer
&
Music Teacher at a school
for disabled children in Katlehong
Many
compare this Afro-jazz genius with Stevie Wonder or Ray Charles although his
singing, piano playing, composing, teaching and arranging skills are distinctly South African. He studied piano at Wits University where he obtained
a B.mus degree after having received a bursary from the Dean of the school of
arts and being credited as a high performing and promising student at the Wits
School of Arts. He was also awarded as the top achiever among residents at
David Webster Hall.
His
ensembles feature his own compositions that encompass jazz, gospel, African
traditional music and popular contemporary music (local and international). He
usually performs with vocalist Kgomotso le Roux and/or his trio band including
double bass and drummer.
Yonela is
the main accompanist to the solo singers and choirs at the South African
Schools Choral Eistadford where he plays classical music for the performers. He
arranged and performed a crossover work between classical and jazz with the
Fumana school choir.
Among
many artists he worked with since 2005 is Steve Kekana, world-renowned Zim
Ngqawana, Prince Lengoasa, Jimmy Mngwandi, Andile Yenana, Thandiswa Mazwai and
Siphokazi.
He
accompanied the Siloe School duet at national level where they got fourth
position. He was the opening act for the Wits school of arts function where he
performed as a soloist at the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg.
On 27
August 2011, Yonela performed a song with the
world-renowned American soul singer Frank McComb at the Joy of Jazz Festival!
He has recorded songs about
anti-xenophobia with musicians from various African countries. Yonela is finally working on his album.
Being a black blind male musician in South
Africa isn’t easy but Yonela makes the best of his talent as one of the
greatest listeners out there. He is willing to create the required mood for any
event through his music.
