Did you know: the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) is deemed ‘Africa’s Grandest Gathering’ and ranked within the top 10 best jazz festivals in the world? This year it turns 16, coming at you bigger and better than ever and ready to show you just how it achieves this status. Get ready to celebrate in soulful style.
A stellar line-up of local and international artists from jazz and jazz-related genres await to perform for your listening pleasure. Taking place on the weekend of 27 and 28 March, the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) will once again be transformed into festival central with five stages. Not only is the two-day-long festival a musical extravaganza, it also works to influence and develop our musical artisans. It’s as much entertainment as it is an outreach, ensuring South Africa’s musical heritage is not only sustained, but nurtured.
But perhaps the CTIJF’s best attribute is its ability to create a space where an appreciation for good music and a great experience is shared and enjoyed by all who attend, no matter who you are or where you come from.
From a city perspective, Mayor Patricia De Lille remarked: ‘The City of Cape Town wants to do our part to ensure greater recognition of culture and heritage. We want to celebrate what has become an integral part of Cape Town’s cultural landscape. Each year jazz lovers come together through their love of music. This event helps to bring us together in creating the kind of future we want for Cape Town; one of communities, united in a common goal, love or interest. The Cape Town International Jazz Festival is one such common interest that can help us build a truly inclusive city while also providing a great platform for artists.’
This year’s line-up includes:
Amel Larrieux (USA); Basia (POLAND/UK); Beatenberg (SA); Bänz Oester and The Rainmakers (SWISS/SA); Claude Cozens Trio (SA); Carlo Mombelli and The Storytellers (SWISS/SA); Courtney Pine presents House Of Legends (UK); Delft Big Band (SA); Dirty Loops (SWEDEN); Gerald Clayton Trio (USA); Melanie Scholtz Presents ‘Our Time’ Ft. Jitsvinger (SA); Madala Kunene (SA); Mahotella Queens 50th Anniversary Celebration With Special Guests (SA); Naima Kay (SA); Sons Of Kemet (UK); Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse (SA); The Brother Moves On (SA); Purbayan Chatterjee & Talvin Singh (INDIA/UK); Wallace Roney Quintet ft. Lenny White & Buster Williams (USA); Zoe Modiga (SA)
OF NOTE
Where Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), 1 Lower Long Street, Foreshore
When 27–28 March 2015
Cost R860 for a weekend pass and R530 for a day pass from computicket.com
Contact +27 21 671 0506, www.capetownjazzfest.com
Photography Courtesy