Getting ready for the Cape Town International Jazz Festival is about more than just tickets, outfits and travel plans.
Image: Armand Hough
As the countdown to the 23rd edition of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival begins, excitement is building among music lovers across South Africa and beyond.
Known as Africa’s Grandest Gathering, the festival returns with another packed line-up that blends global jazz icons with homegrown talent and new voices shaping the future of music.
This year’s festival will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Friday, March 27, and Saturday, March 28.
As always, the celebrations begin earlier in the week with the annual free concert at Greenmarket Square on Wednesday, March 25, giving fans a taste of the music before the main event.
By now, many festival goers have secured their tickets, booked accommodation and started planning outfits for one of the biggest weekends on the jazz calendar. But before the stages light up, there is another way to get into the spirit of the festival. A playlist.
While the official set lists remain a surprise for concertgoers, a few songs from the line-up could easily make their way into the performances.
Think of this playlist as the perfect warm-up for the weekend. Even if the exact tracks do not appear on stage, they offer a glimpse into the sound, energy and musical journey audiences can expect.
One artist fans are eager to see is Jacob Collier, whose live shows are known for their creativity and audience interaction. A likely opening moment could be “100,000 Voices”, a track from his album “Djesse Vol. 4”.
The song has served as the opener on his recent world tour and often includes snippets of jazz standards, setting a vibrant tone for the night. Another favourite is his cover of “Somebody to Love” by Queen.
Collier often turns the crowd into a giant choir during this performance, guiding audiences through layered harmonies that transform the venue into one massive musical instrument.
Cape Town’s own jazz legend Abdullah Ibrahim could deliver one of the most meaningful moments of the festival. His classic composition “Mannenberg” remains one of the most powerful pieces in South African jazz history.
First released in 1974, the song became closely linked to the anti-apartheid struggle and is often described as an unofficial anthem of resistance.
Another possible highlight is “The Wedding”, a reflective and spiritual composition that shows the quieter side of Ibrahim’s artistry and continues to move audiences decades after it was first performed.
American jazz fusion group Yellowjackets is also set to bring their signature sound to the festival.
Their song “Revelation” is one of the band’s most performed tracks and blends jazz with a strong gospel influence. Fans may also hear “Claire’s Song”, a long-time favourite that often closes their shows or appears as an encore.
Local icon Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse will add a dose of nostalgia and groove to the line-up.
Songs like “Thaba Bosiu” remain staples of his Afrosoul and jazz fusion style, while “Burn Out” continues to be one of the most recognisable hits in South African pop and jazz history.
When the opening notes of that song hit, the crowd usually responds instantly.
Among the newer voices on the line-up is Manana, whose soulful sound has earned him a growing fan base. His song “Distant” is widely seen as the track that launched his career and remains a highlight of his live performances.
Another song that could appear is “Isililo soThando”, one of the standout tracks from his album “Our Broken Hearts Mend", which continues to resonate with listeners.
Fans of modern electronic and jazz-influenced sounds can look forward to a performance from Jazzwrld and Thukuthela.
Tracks such as “uMoya” and “Tholukuthi (Clap Song)” capture their signature 3-Step sound, which blends electronic production with live instrumentation. The duo has hinted that their festival performance will lean into a more retro feel, using live band arrangements to reinterpret their studio hits.
Another artist making her festival debut is lordkez. Her track “Aweh” became a major cultural moment in South Africa and helped introduce her to a wider audience.
She may also perform “You, Me and The 90’s”, the title track from her latest project, which mixes nostalgic influences with a contemporary R&B sound.
Belgium-based South African vocalist Tutu Puoane is also expected to deliver a memorable set. One song many fans hope to hear is “Mpho”, a beloved track from her album “Quiet Now”.
Another possibility is “Land of Broken Mirrors”, a piece from her recent project “Wrapped in Rhythm", which features music inspired by the poetry of Lebo Mashile.
Global fusion will also be represented by Varijashree Venugopal, whose music blends South Indian classical traditions with jazz improvisation.
Songs such as “Chasing the Horizon” highlight this mix of cultures and musical styles. Another potential performance is “Jaathre”, which features a collaboration with clarinettist Anat Cohen and remains a highlight of her live shows.
To close out the energy, the amapiano powerhouse duo Scorpion Kings could bring the crowd to its feet with tracks like “Imithandazo”.
The song became one of their biggest recent hits and showcases how amapiano can carry both dance floor energy and rich musical layers. Another possible addition is “Nana Thula”, often described as a soulful amapiano track that blends smooth instrumentation with melodic vocals.
For more information about the festival, visit the official CTIJF website (www.capetownjazzfest.com). Tickets for the festival are available through Ticketmaster.