Sunday, 27 September 2026

Guitarist-composer Kinan Ahrens said South African jazz musicians are well equipped to compete globally, despite the country’s smaller pool of players.

Ahrens described researching Cape Town guitar legend Errol Dyers, interviewing his family and collaborators to construct a biography preserving his musical and personal story.

Listeners voted Gary Mulligan’s version of Miles Davis’s “Boplicity” the winner over Ari Hoenig’s 2018 interpretation in the show’s Old Soul versus New Sound feature.

Ahrens traced his development to late-night Cape Town jam sessions and said collaboration has taught him to adapt while serving each composer’s emotional and musical intent.

The programme reflected on the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, with the presenter highlighting Ibrahim Malouf’s performance and inviting listeners to share their festival favourites.