THE Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF), Africa’s grandest jazz gathering, has announced its first artist for the highly anticipated 2025 line-up: internationally acclaimed DJ and producer Black Coffee, collaborating with award-winning jazz pianist Nduduzo Makhathini in a performance set to redefine musical boundaries.

This collaboration, featuring a full orchestra; horns, percussion, and special guest vocalists, promises to be a highlight of the festival. As the first of several announcements this week, it signals a festival rich in innovation and artistry.

The full line-up is expected to be unveiled in April.

Black Coffee, a trailblazer in electronic and house music, and Makhathini, a visionary jazz pianist, share a deep musical lineage from their studies at Technikon Natal in Durban.

Their early work culminated in Black Coffee’s celebrated release, Music Is King, where Makhathini’s contribution to the track Muye stood out.

Driven by a shared mission to transcend genre divisions and elevate sonic aesthetics, the duo has continued to experiment and create, blending jazz’s intricate improvisations with the pulsating energy of deep house.

Their CTIJF performance will be the first live rendition of their joint repertoire in a fully orchestrated format, merging soul-stirring jazz with hypnotic electronic rhythms.

Globally recognised as one of the most influential DJs of his generation, Black Coffee has elevated South African house music internationally.

With multiple awards under his belt, including a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album, he has headlined the world’s most prestigious festivals and clubs, from Coachella to Ibiza’s famed residencies.

A torchbearer of South African jazz, Nduduzo Makhathini is an acclaimed pianist, composer and bandleader whose work bridges traditional African spirituality with modern jazz.

Signed to the iconic Blue Note Records, Makhathini’s music is revered for its meditative, healing qualities and its deep-rooted connection to the sounds of the African continent.

His collaborations with Black Coffee reflect a visionary approach that transcends musical categories, craving compositions that resonate on both emotional and intellectual levels.

This exclusive CTIJF concert will take audiences on a journey through both artists’ legendary catalogues, featuring classic hits and new compositions in an orchestrated live setting. With a world-class ensemble and surprise guest vocalists, this collaboration is set to be one of the festival’s most groundbreaking performances.Lindsay Rhoda, talent manager of the CTIJF, shared her excitement about the festival’s phased announcements, saying: “Kicking off our 2025 line-up with a collaboration of this magnitude sets the tone for what promises to be one of the most unforgettable editions of the CTIJF. Black Coffee and Nduduzo Makhathini’s fusion of electronic mastery and jazz brilliance is just the beginning.”

“This week, we’ll be revealing more phenomenal artists on our social media platforms, with more names dropping next week. Music lovers, get ready. CTIJF 2025 is going to be nothing short of spectacular,” said Rhoda.

DAILY NEWS