Africa’s grandest gathering is back. The Cape Town International Jazz Festival is happening this weekend at the CTICC and weekend passes have been are out for ages. If you’re lucky enough to be going, here are the 10 acts we recommend.

1 En Vogue  

Worldwide sensation En Vogue will make you dance with their incredible songs. The US R&B group have sold more than 20 million records to date and  won numerous awards, including seven MTV Music Awards, three Soul Train Awards and two American Music Awards.

OF NOTE
When 
Friday 31 March 2017 at 12:15 
Where 
Basil ‘Manenberg’ Coetzee stage

2 Judith Sephuma 

Listening to Afro-funk, jazz and gospel singer Judith Sephuma is mesmerising, to say the least. Sephuma has toured across the African continent and the rest of the world, performed at Thabo Mbeki’s inauguration and released seven albums that received critical acclaim.

OF NOTE
When 
Saturday 1 April 2017 at 8:45 pm 
Where 
Klippies stage

3 Escalandrum 

This Argentine sextet brings some Latin Jazz to the festival stage. Led by drummer Daniel ‘Pipi’ Piazzola whose grandfather started a revolution in tango music for new urban audiences back in the 1940s, the group have nine albums to their discography, toured more than 20 countries and won multiple awards in their homeland.

OF NOTE
When 
Saturday 1 April 2017 at 11 pm 
Where 
Moses Melelekwa Stage

4 Jonas Mosa Gwangwa and Friends 

The legendary South African and Oscar-nominated composer, trombonist, band leader and director Jonas Mosa Gwangwa will be gracing our shores at the Jazz Fest this year. Despite his phenomenal success, he’s driven by the most important thing – the music – and we can’t wait to get down to his sweet sounds.

OF NOTE
When 
Friday 31 March 2017 at 12 midnight 
Where 
Klippies stage

5. Tresor 

Born in the DRC and based in Cape Town, Tresor has been heating up the South African music scene. Coming from humble beginnings, he’s worked hard for his passions and is now a SAMA-winning artist and the only South African-based pop artist to break into the Italian charts.

OF NOTE
When 
Friday 31 March 2017 at 11:30 pm 
Where 
Bassline stage

6. The Rudimentals 

Tackling ska, African, reggae, ragga, rock and dancehall music, The Rudimentals are one of South Africa’s top bands. They’ve been a feature at many a festival across the country and are guaranteed to get you up and dancing.

OF NOTE
When 
Saturday 1 April 2017 at 9:30 pm 
Where 
Basil ‘Manenberg’ Coetzee stage

7 Laura Mvula 

Laura Mvula is an innovative singer-songwriter from the UK. Her debut album Sing to the Moon was released in 2013 and garnered multiple award nominations. Mvula’s songs explore identity, personal dilemmas and social issues, and are filled with soul.

OF NOTE
When 
Saturday 1 April 2017 at 11:45 pm  
Where 
Basil ‘Manenberg’ Coetzee stage

8 Jameszoo 

If you’re looking for something a little different, give Netherlands export, dance/electronic music producer Jameszoo, a listen. He weaves music together in a way that may be considered contemporary jazz but that’s still eclectic and interesting enough to get the party started.

OF NOTE
When 
Friday 31 March 2017 at 20:30 
Where 
Moses Melelekwa Stage

9 Siya Makuzeni 

Trombonist, vocalist, composer and bandleader Siya Makuzeni is the 2016 Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year for Jazz and won the Mbokodo Award for Women in Jazz in 2013. She returns to the Cape Town Jazz Festival this year for another powerful performance.

OF NOTE
When 
Saturday 1 April 2017 at 11 pm  
Where 
Rosies Stage

10 Taylor McFerrin and Marcus Gilmore 

Taylor McFerrin is a DJ, producer, singer-songwriter, keyboardist and beatboxer. Marcus Gilmore is drummer. Individually, they’re great artists; together, they create magic. Hailing from the States, the duo create a fresh soundscape that’s great to see live.

OF NOTE
When 
Friday 31 March 2017 at 11:45 pm  
Where
Moses Molelekwa Stage

To see the full programme of all the incredible performers at this year’s Cape Town International Jazz Festival and when they are performing, click here. 

OF NOTE
When Friday 31 March – Saturday 1 April 2017 at 6:30 pm
Where CTICC, Foreshore 
Cost R690 at Computicket (Day passes only)
Contact +27 21 671 0506, [email protected]capetownjazzfest.com

Photography YouTube

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