Cape Town - The Cape Town jazz fraternity is mourning the loss of one of its brightest stars.
Legendary guitarist and music mentor Alvin Dyers passed away on Sunday at the age of 71.
Born and raised in Harfield Village in 1953, Dyers first fell in love with the guitar at the tender age of seven, when he got his first guitar which he shared with his brother Errol.
In July 2017, Errol died at the age of 65 from complications with emphysema. At the time of Alvin’s passing, he was part of the Alvin Dyers trio along with Roy Davids on drums and Valentino Europa on bass guitar.
The guitarist formed his first band called Sacred Legion with Errol. He was also a member of the Pacific Express band who performed in the 1980s.
The father of two, who played his last gig at a friend’s funeral on Saturday, died at his Kensington home of natural causes.
In 2011, the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) honoured Alvin Dyers in the Western Cape Jazz Legends project, which pays homage to the rich jazz heritage of the province, while encouraging a wider audience to appreciate these musicians.
He was also honoured at the 2023 DCAS Cultural Awards with a Ministerial Legacy Award in recognition of his contribution to jazz music as an educator and guitarist.
DCAS MEC Ricardo MacKenzie said: “Alvin Dyers was more than just a musician; he was a beacon of inspiration for aspiring artists. His legacy will endure not only in the music he created but in the lives he touched as a teacher and mentor.
“Our deepest condolences go to Alvin Dyers’ family, friends, and all who experienced the magic of his music.”
Musician Theodore Lawrence posted: “Rest in peace to the great Alvin Dyers who passed away suddenly. Sincere condolences to his wife, Heather Dyers and sons Alexander and Jordan-Joel Dyers, friends and colleagues.”
Commenting on Dyers’ contribution to the music fraternity, Lawrence added: “As a music educator teaching jazz guitar privately, in schools and community music projects, at the South African College of Music based at the University of Cape Town or facilitator of numerous international jazz exchange programmes, for example, with the Norwegian Jazz Academy, or as the music director of the Cape Jazz Orchestra, a South African governmental arts and Culture initiative which, under the leadership of Abdullah Ibrahim, brought 16 young jazz musicians together to perform arrangements of various South African jazz composers, Dyers has, undoubtedly, had a major influence on the careers of countless young jazz musicians and on the South African jazz scene as a whole.”
Musician Glenn Robertson shared: “Alvin Dyers, your death has come as a shock to all of us who are still on the earth. Our sincere condolences go to you and your family members firstly, and then to your audience. I know that Errol Dyers and Leon Dyers are happy that you have joined them up in Heaven, so you and them can complete the heavenly band there. Thank you for the music.”
venecia.valentine@inl.co.za