Yamaha YC73 | Esa Williams | Artist Profile

Keyboardist, Producer, DJ and curator, ESA is a true musical polymath. Fusing Kwaito house and afro synth with gritty techno and deep percussive grooves, ESA has carved out his own unique and expansive musical identity. Working as Musical Director ESA recreates the sounds of influential African artists such as Ata Kak, Mim Suleiman or Ntombi Ndaba, bringing these iconic synth sounds to stages for the Western audience to experience. To recreate the classic synth sounds in his studio ESA relies on a powerful versatile synth that easily reproduces a variety of classic and modern sounds in the studio and brings this to the stages in a compact instrument. The Yamaha YC73 combines organic sounds, dynamic expression, and pedal response with a powerful one-to-one interface making it an intuitive, compact instrument that easily stands up in any live environment.

Yamaha YC73 | Esa Williams | Performance

Born and raised in Cape Town, ESA is an ambassador for the South African music scene in the West. Cutting through the noise of European nightlife, he draws upon his cultural roots, his global travels and the people he meets along the way to embody a sound without limitations.

‘Blast’ features in Stella McCartney A to Z Manifesto: Summer 2021 Show

'Blast' the club hit and a collaborative track between Esa, Narchbeats and Pendo Zawose released on Dekmantel back in 2017 features in the latest Stella Mccartney A to Z Manifesto Summer 2021 Show video.

Cape Town

Born and raised in Cape Town, Esa is an ambassador for the South African music scene in the West. Cutting through the noise of European nightlife, he draws upon his cultural roots, his global travels and the people he meets along the way to embody a sound without limitations.

Scotland

Esa’s move to the UK was a catalyst for his evolving musical output. After proving his natural ability behind the decks, he joined Scottish institution, the legendary Sub Club, and subsequently became a young resident.

London

Esa can be heard weaving together the exciting tales of musical discoveries on his monthly slot on Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide FM. Ever-charismatic, he sparks intrigue in his listeners, inviting them to accompany him as he creates something special - both in-studio and on the dance-floor. A philosophy that supported a weekly Brixton residency. 

The role of South African dance music during apartheid (RA)

How the optimistic sounds of Bubblegum, Afro-synth and Kwaito helped inspire resistance to repression.

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