Renowned saxophonist and composer Nubya Garcia on the Kippies stage on Saturday evening during the 22nd Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
Celebrated globally each year on April 30th, International Jazz Day pays tribute to the essence of artistic freedom.
In South Africa, this celebration follows closely after the highly successful 2025 Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF), a truly memorable occasion.
The CTIJF made a spectacular comeback, attracting approximately 24,000 enthusiastic music fans over three amazing days.
The festivities began with an energetic free concert in the City Centre on April 24th, followed by two thrilling days of performances at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on April 25th and 26th.
Performances by international artists such as Black Coffee, Nduduzo Makhathini, Lira, Ari Lennox, Igor Butman Quartet, Thandiswa Mazwai, Bombay Lights, and Plurism enthralled attendees and established an exciting direction for the festival's future.
Performances by international artists such as Black Coffee, Nduduzo Makhathini, Lira, Ari Lennox, Igor Butman Quartet, Thandiswa Mazwai, Bombay Lights, and Plurism enthralled attendees at the 2025 Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
Image: Photographer: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
Affectionately known as Africa’s Grandest Gathering, the festival once again proved its significance as a leading music event on the continent, drawing a vibrant, youthful, and diverse audience from across South Africa and international locations including Europe, the UK, and the US.
Jazz is a cornerstone of many popular and classical genres, a sound that transcends generations. South African jazz musicians who lived in exile during the apartheid era, told stories of the struggle through their sounds.
It’s become a sound that many have memories attached to, from the music blasting in their homes by family members to attending shows.
Hugh Masekela, a South African jazz icon renowned as a trumpeter, composer, and vocalist, began his illustrious career with the Jazz Epistles in the 1950s. His return from exile in 1990 and subsequent nationwide tour garnered him a devoted new following, solidifying his popularity both in South Africa and internationally.
From its inception, CTIJF set itself apart as the first jazz-centric event in South Africa to feature multiple stages showcasing a diverse array of local and international talent.
Image: Ian Landsberg / Independent Newspapers
Fellow South African jazz titan, Abdullah Ibrahim, a pianist and composer, found inspiration in the avant-garde sounds of the 1960s. His clandestine return to South Africa in the 1970s resulted in the recording of his seminal work, “Manenberg,” cementing his status as one of the nation's most distinguished musicians.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is the Global Host of the 2025 edition of International Jazz Day.
“Jazz is a language of unity and a beacon of hope that continues to inspire new generations of artists from all corners of the globe,” said Herbie Hancock UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador
“In Abu Dhabi, a renowned group of international artists will join us to share their musical vision, build bridges through the power of music, and create harmony in our diverse world,”
As the 2025 Global Host City, Abu Dhabi, the UNESCO Creative City of Music, will showcase the interplay of local musical traditions and Jazz dating back decades.
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