Biography
Since the late 1980s Tananas has commanded enormous popularity inside South Africa. Their sound resists easy classification as characteristically South African because the trio freely combines disparate idioms into a singular personal language. Technical command sets them apart: the largely self-taught guitarist Steve Newman is widely regarded as one of the country’s finest players, while the rhythm partnership of bassist-vocalist Gito Baloi, likewise self-taught and originally from Mozambique, and drummer-percussionist Ian Herman delivers both pinpoint accuracy and elaborate nuance. Consequently the musicians are constantly sought after as session players, appearing on numerous South African fusion and jazz recordings.
The group was assembled in 1987 by Newman, Baloi and Herman. At the time creative musicians faced difficult circumstances; political turmoil gripped the nation and the recording industry showed little interest in home-grown talent. One independent outlet, Shifty Records, created by Lloyd Ross, nevertheless provided support. Tananas issued their debut self-titled album on the label in 1988, an event that proved transformative for the local scene. The unprecedented fusion of jazz, Mozambican salsa and township jive quickly won the band a devoted following and near-cult status, which in turn generated extensive touring across the country.
Early in the 1990s the trio signed with another independent South African company, Gallo, and issued two further albums of consistently high calibre. Both Spiral (1990) and Time (1992) ranged across multiple stylistic terrains, powered by the spontaneous chemistry that three musicians alone could generate.
By late 1993, however, internal frictions among the strong-willed players led to an apparent dissolution. Herman relocated to New York in search of fresh influences, Baloi launched a solo career that produced the well-received albums Ekaya (1995) and Na Ku Randza (1997), and Newman concentrated on his longstanding collaboration with twelve-string guitarist Tony Cox, another adventurous figure in South African music.
Herman’s return from the United States in 1994 prompted Newman and him to revive the project without Baloi. Operating initially as a duo under the altered name Tananas Wide Ensemble, they released Orchestra Mundo in 1994 and Unamunacua in 1996, experimenting with expanded instrumentation and recruiting guests that included vocalist Vusi Mahlasela. Both recordings earned South African Music Awards for Best Contemporary Jazz. Soon afterward the ensemble again entered a period of inactivity. Herman accepted further work in the United States, collaborating with George Duke and Paul Simon in New York before settling permanently in San Francisco, where he is still regarded as one of the nation’s most accomplished drummers.
In 1998 Newman succeeded in reassembling the original lineup, persuading Baloi to rejoin and arranging for Herman to travel from the United States. The reunion yielded the sixth studio album, Seed, in 1999, which restored the classic trio format. Their appearance on the 2000 WOMAD tour finally brought the group wider international attention.
Because each member maintains an active individual career, side projects have continued alongside Tananas. Newman frequently performs with Tony Cox, Baloi led his own band until his murder in April 2004, and Herman has played in the United States with the acid-jazz group Junk as well as with trumpeter Matt Venuti.
The group was assembled in 1987 by Newman, Baloi and Herman. At the time creative musicians faced difficult circumstances; political turmoil gripped the nation and the recording industry showed little interest in home-grown talent. One independent outlet, Shifty Records, created by Lloyd Ross, nevertheless provided support. Tananas issued their debut self-titled album on the label in 1988, an event that proved transformative for the local scene. The unprecedented fusion of jazz, Mozambican salsa and township jive quickly won the band a devoted following and near-cult status, which in turn generated extensive touring across the country.
Early in the 1990s the trio signed with another independent South African company, Gallo, and issued two further albums of consistently high calibre. Both Spiral (1990) and Time (1992) ranged across multiple stylistic terrains, powered by the spontaneous chemistry that three musicians alone could generate.
By late 1993, however, internal frictions among the strong-willed players led to an apparent dissolution. Herman relocated to New York in search of fresh influences, Baloi launched a solo career that produced the well-received albums Ekaya (1995) and Na Ku Randza (1997), and Newman concentrated on his longstanding collaboration with twelve-string guitarist Tony Cox, another adventurous figure in South African music.
Herman’s return from the United States in 1994 prompted Newman and him to revive the project without Baloi. Operating initially as a duo under the altered name Tananas Wide Ensemble, they released Orchestra Mundo in 1994 and Unamunacua in 1996, experimenting with expanded instrumentation and recruiting guests that included vocalist Vusi Mahlasela. Both recordings earned South African Music Awards for Best Contemporary Jazz. Soon afterward the ensemble again entered a period of inactivity. Herman accepted further work in the United States, collaborating with George Duke and Paul Simon in New York before settling permanently in San Francisco, where he is still regarded as one of the nation’s most accomplished drummers.
In 1998 Newman succeeded in reassembling the original lineup, persuading Baloi to rejoin and arranging for Herman to travel from the United States. The reunion yielded the sixth studio album, Seed, in 1999, which restored the classic trio format. Their appearance on the 2000 WOMAD tour finally brought the group wider international attention.
Because each member maintains an active individual career, side projects have continued alongside Tananas. Newman frequently performs with Tony Cox, Baloi led his own band until his murder in April 2004, and Herman has played in the United States with the acid-jazz group Junk as well as with trumpeter Matt Venuti.
Albums
