Since its launch in 2000, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival has grown into one of the most significant music events on the continent, bringing together global jazz legends, contemporary performers and emerging South African talent.
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Since its launch in 2000, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) has evolved from a satellite event of the North Sea Jazz Festival into one of the world's most respected music gatherings.
Often described as Africa’s Grandest Gathering, the festival has become a major platform where global jazz legends, contemporary performers and rising South African artists come together on one stage.
Each year, the festival draws thousands of music fans from across South Africa, the rest of the continent and international markets. It remains the largest jazz festival in Africa and one of the most recognised jazz events globally.
The 2026 edition will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28.
The festival opened its doors in 2000 at the Good Hope Centre. The first edition featured artists including Herbie Hancock, Youssou N’Dour and South African legends Hugh Masekela and Bheki Mseleku.
Their performances helped set the tone for what would become a global stage for jazz and related music.
Between 2001 and 2003, the event built a reputation for musical variety. Artists such as Marcus Miller, Spyro Gyra and India Arie introduced audiences to a mix of jazz, soul and rhythm and blues.
A major moment arrived in 2004 when the festival moved to the CTICC. That year also saw pianist Abdullah Ibrahim make his long-awaited debut at the festival.
Other historic performances followed in the years that came after. Miriam Makeba appeared in 2006 during her international farewell tour. In 2009, Hugh Masekela celebrated his seventieth birthday with a performance on the Kippies stage.
The CTIJF is one of the largest jazz gatherings in Africa and attracts international artists and audiences, making it a major moment on the country’s music calendar.
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Artists such as Mos Def, Jonathan Butler and Erykah Badu also headlined during this period.
The following years continued to expand the musical direction of the festival. Lauryn Hill performed in 2012, Robert Glasper followed in 2013 and Snarky Puppy appeared in 2014, bringing a new wave of jazz fusion to the programme.
The twentieth anniversary edition in 2019 featured artists including Chaka Khan, Thundercat and Sibongile Khumalo.
Organisers described the programme as a meeting point of genres aimed at connecting traditional jazz audiences with younger listeners.
After a four-year break, the festival returned in 2024 with performers such as Matt Bianco, The Yussef Dayes Experience and South African artists Zoë Modiga and Mandisi Dyantyis.
In 2025, the festival continued to experiment with collaborations, including a performance by Black Coffee and Nduduzo Makhathini alongside artists Ari Lennox and Nubya Garcia.
The 2026 edition will feature performers including multi-Grammy winner Jacob Collier, the Yellowjackets and a historic return by Ibrahim at the age of ninety-one.
Alongside global names, the festival has increasingly focused on emerging artists who are redefining African music by blending jazz with amapiano, soul and electronic influences.
Singer Rorisang Sechele is among the artists performing this year. She will present her project “The Seed” on the Moses Molelekwa Stage.
“As a young artist, performing at the CTIJF has always been a dream of mine,” Sechele told “Independent Media Lifestyle”.
“I remember having conversations with my roommate in high school about how exciting it would be just to attend the festival.”
“Little did I know that ten years later I would be performing on the very stage we once spoke about,” she said.
“The festival represents excellence, community and creative exchange, so standing on that stage truly feels like a full circle moment in my journey.”
She added that the opportunity carries personal meaning.
“I am most excited about finally sonically planting ‘The Seed’ in Cape Town. I really wanted to perform there last year, but things did not go according to plan, which makes this opportunity even more meaningful.”
“I am also looking forward to experiencing the festival as an audience member and connecting with international artists like Jacob Collier and Jasmine Myra,” she said.
Afro folk singer songwriter Jabulile Majola will also make his debut at the festival. He is scheduled to perform his project “Isitifiketi" on the Moses Molelekwa stage.
“Being part of the CTIJF feels like stepping into a living archive of stories,” Majola said.
“It is a space where people come together and share life with one another.”
“This year will be my first time ever experiencing the festival," he added. “I have always admired what they do from afar and the types of musicians that they have booked in the past. They bring in world-class acts.”
Duo Jazzwrld and Thukuthela are also set to perform. Their sound blends electronic production with live instrumentation in a style they call 3-Step.
“We have looked up to this ever since we were kids,” said Jazzwrld.
“I remember knowing about the festival through my dad, who used to talk about it with pride. Seeing the late icon Tata Hugh Masekela and many others who performed there drew us to the culture.”
“This is a milestone for us, the biggest platform ever, and we are more than excited,” added Thukuthela. “We plan on going retro there with our live band sessions.”
They said that the journey to this moment has been shaped by faith and persistence. “At this point, it is God speaking through us that connects our sound to every living being. The journey has been nothing but a series of lessons,” they said.
Singer Giuliette Price is another emerging performer who represents the new generation of artists blending soul and contemporary jazz influences.
The festival programme now regularly includes artists from outside the traditional jazz space. These cross-genre collaborations aim to bring younger audiences into the festival environment while maintaining its musical heritage.
Amapiano duo Scorpion Kings, made up of DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small, will bring their sound to the festival stage this year.
“For us as Scorpion Kings, it is exciting to bring amapiano into a space that has always celebrated jazz,” the duo said.
“You can really feel how sounds connect and how new generations keep building on what came before.”
“Fans can expect a proper Scorpion Kings experience,” they added. “We are coming with energy, emotion and moments that speak to where the music is right now.”
“There will be space for groove, for movement and for those jazz-inspired elements that live performances bring. It is about creating a moment, not just playing tracks.”
Award-winning singer songwriter Lordkez is also among the artists representing the new wave, blending rhythm and blues with alternative soul.
Beyond the concerts, the CTIJF also functions as a cultural platform that supports learning and collaboration. Workshops, masterclasses and discussions allow emerging musicians to engage with experienced artists and industry professionals.
These sessions explore jazz history, improvisation, music business skills and creative expression, helping to nurture the next generation of performers.
More information about the festival is available at www.capetownjazzfest.com. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.