Tananas, (pronounced tuh-naa-nuhs) is a South African band formed in 1987. … Read Full Bio ↴Tananas, (pronounced tuh-naa-nuhs) is a South African band formed in 1987. Originally it consisted of Mozambican Gito Baloi (bass and vocals), Ian Herman (drums and percussion) and Steve Newman (acoustic guitar). First recorded by the independent label Shifty Records, Tananas combines jazz, Mozambican salsa, and township jive. They have released eight albums, the last two on the Sony label.

Tananas have built a loyal following in their home country since the late 1980s, and they have performed at WOMAD festivals around the world. They have worked individually or as a band with Paul Simon and Sting, and have shared a stage with the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Suzanne Vega and Youssou N'dour.

Gito Baloi was robbed and shot dead in Johannesburg, South Africa on 4 April 2004 while on his way home from a concert in Pretoria. He was 39 years old.