Tananas

Tananas was one of South Africa's most innovative and influential instrumental bands, celebrated for creating a unique fusion of African rhythms, jazz, folk and world music that earned them both local and international acclaim. Formed in Johannesburg in 1987, the trio consisted of guitarist Steve Newman, Mozambican-born bassist and vocalist Gito Baloi, and drummer and percussionist Ian Herman. Their remarkable chemistry and technical musicianship allowed them to create richly textured compositions that transcended traditional musical genres, blending jazz improvisation with Mozambican salsa, mbaqanga, township jive and acoustic folk into a sound that was unmistakably their own.

The group's self-titled debut album, Tananas, from 1988, introduced audiences to their fresh approach and was followed by acclaimed releases including Spiral, Time, Orchestra Mundo, Unamunacua, Seed and Alive in Jo'burg. Instrumental pieces such as Standanyobo, Jungle Stuff, Man on a Jetty, Inkhama and Alegria became favourites among fans of South African jazz and world music, showcasing the trio's ability to tell stories without relying on lyrics. Their recordings remain highly regarded for their intricate musicianship and enduring originality.

Tananas built a devoted following in South Africa before taking their music to audiences around the world through performances at the renowned WOMAD festival and other international stages. Individually and collectively, the band worked with global artists including Paul Simon, Sting and George Duke, while also sharing stages with Bonnie Raitt, Suzanne Vega and Youssou N'Dour. Their influence extended into numerous collaborations with leading South African musicians, including Vusi Mahlasela, Deepak Ram, Tony Cox and Wendy Oldfield.

Although Tananas officially disbanded in 1993, the trio reunited periodically until the tragic death of Gito Baloi in 2004. Their legacy lives on through a catalogue that helped redefine South African contemporary music and inspired countless musicians to embrace musical collaboration without boundaries. Their albums Orchestra Mundo and Unamunacua also earned South African Music Awards for Best Contemporary Jazz, recognising the trio's pioneering contribution to the country's musical landscape. Today, Tananas remains widely regarded as one of South Africa's finest and most original musical ensembles.