Jazz lovers are in for a treat this April and May as two major festivals light up the Western Cape’s cultural calendar. The Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) and the Journey to Jazz Festival (J2J) in Prince Albert are set to jazz up the province. Both events promise world-class talent and unforgettable experiences.
The CTIJF returns to the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Friday, 25 and Saturday, 26 April 2025, with a lineup that blends international flair and home-grown brilliance. Headliners include global superstar Black Coffee, acclaimed jazz pianist Nduduzo Makhathini, Ari Lennox, Lira, Incognito, Masego, and Kandace Springs, among many others. Known as “Africa’s Grandest Gathering”, the CTIJF continues to raise the bar for live jazz performance on the continent.
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Hot on its heels, the Journey to Jazz Festival transforms the Karoo town of Prince Albert from 1–4 May 2025.
Hosted by the Prince Albert Community Trust (PACT), J2J celebrates not just music, but community spirit and cultural heritage. A standout feature this year is Kesivan Naidoo and the Lights, debuting a new commissioned piece honouring 30 years of South African democracy. Naidoo also reunites with Tribe for the first time in 25 years, in what promises to be a historic performance.
The J2J line-up includes the Kyle Shepherd Trio, Nomadic Orchestra, The Heinrich Frans Duo with Allou April, and local gems like the Karoo Jazz Project and the free People’s Concert on 1 May at the beautifully restored Krittikom Koppie Theatre.
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