Johannesburg - The Cape Town International Jazz Festival, which was scheduled to take place on March 17 and 18, 2023, has been postponed to February 23 and 24, 2024.
Organisers espAfrika have apologised to all those affected—artists, fans, ticket holders, suppliers, and partners, and explained that several factors had lead to the postponement.
"It is with sincere regret that espAfrika, organisers of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF), announce that the event scheduled to have taken place on March 17 and 18, 2023, has been postponed until February 23 and 24, 2024.
“Several factors have influenced this difficult decision. These include a series of unavoidable delays and unforeseen challenges, as well as uncertainties around the future of loadshedding, all of which have negatively impacted the planning for 2023.
“Consequently, and after consultation with stakeholders, it was felt it was better to reschedule the 21st celebration of the CTIJF until 2024 to stage the show espAfrika wants to deliver and that does justice to the CTIJF brand, but most importantly, one that Festinos deserve."
The event was going to continue its 21st-anniversary celebrations that were necessarily postponed in 2020 (due to the pandemic), with a line-up, look, and feel, as well as several surprises, that celebrate its roots but with a nod to the future.
Renowned music artist Judith Sephuma had expressed delight at the return of the festival, saying: "The Cape Town International Jazz Festival holds a special place in my heart. I performed at the very first one and am happy to be at this, the 21st event, to share my music with Festinos again. There has been a definite gap in the music festival calendar without the CT Jazz Fest these past couple of years, so I am delighted it is back, and it promises to be amazing—as usual. I hope to see you all there."
The festival known for its “scintillating and eclectic mix of jazz and jazz-related music”, was according to the organisers, set to take account of the fans’ desires to spend more time enjoying and appreciating the artists and the music they love, as well as upping the "festival" feeling with an expanded offering of other experiences.
They said that the grand affair, also dubbed "Africa’s Grandest Gathering," will be making a return in 2024 to do justice to the popular and much-loved brand.
The Star