Award-winning South African vocalist/trumpeter Mandisi Dyantyis is set to hold the opening show of his debut Australian tour at Theatre Royal Castlemaine tonight, October 22.
The jazz virtuoso is heading to Australia as part of a tour to headline Melbourne International Jazz Festival.
This landmark show brings one of Africa’s most compelling contemporary jazz voices to regional Victoria for a night of soulful, uplifting music, in collaboration with local powerhouse Afrospace Interchange.
Mandisi Dyantyis – a trumpeter, vocalist and composer – blends jazz, gospel, and traditional African musical influences into a sound that is both deeply intimate and powerfully expansive.
Known for selling out major venues across South Africa, Dyantyis gained widespread acclaim for his debut album Somandla and his award-winning follow-up Cwaka, which earned a South African Music Award for ‘Best African Adult Contemporary Album’ and amassed over 20 million streams.
Following the release of his third album, Intlambululo: Ukuhlambulula in 2025, and repeated invitations to perform at Herbie Hancock’s International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert, this tour marks a milestone moment as Dyantyis brings his original repertoire to Australian audiences for the
very first time.
Joining Dyantyis for this special performance is Afrospace Interchange, a dynamic seven-piece Melbourne ensemble formed to celebrate the rich tradition of South African jazz.
Co-led by bassist Zvi Belling and pianist Pat Jaffe, the collective coalesces around the extraordinary drumming of living legend Brian Abrahams (who has performed alongside jazz icons Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson and Abdullah Ibrahim).
Having honed their sound through a cult weekly residency at Fitzroy’s Old Plates Record Bar – hosting over 150 local and international guest improvisers across the past three years – Afrospace Interchange brings an undeniable groove and joyous spirit to the stage.
Afrospace Interchange are no strangers to local stages, having already captured the hearts of Castlemaine audiences as a headline act at this year’s Castlemaine Jazz Festival, where their electrifying performance earned them a resounding standing ovation.
Dyantyis’ music is an accessible, feel-good celebration – delivering an uplifting blend of high-energy grooves and rich African gospel influences that speaks straight to the heart. Together, Dyantyis and Afrospace Interchange will offer central Victorian audiences a vibrant cultural exchange of South
African and Australian jazz improvisation.
The gig will kick off at 7pm. Get your tickets at https://theatreroyalcastlemaine.oztix.com.au/