Don't miss the beat: jazz up your weekend at Cape Town International Jazz Festival

Cape Town is buzzing with jazzgoers as the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) takes centre stage in the city this weekend.

Known as the home of jazz, locals will be flocking to the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), which opens its doors today at 5.45pm. 

The festivities began on a high note last night at Greenmarket Square, where the usually bustling market was reimagined as an outdoor concert venue. Attendees relished the free concert, which served as a prelude to the weekend's grand festivities. 

Heart FM's sports presenter Jeremy Harris, who took part in the evening's events, was thrilled with the line-up and the atmosphere. 

“Jazz lovers are going to have the best time over the next few days," he remarked. “I love the quality of the artists that are performing. Ask me to pick a favourite and I can’t.” 

Reflecting on the evolution of the CTIJF over the years, Harris noted the impressive increase in the quality of jazz showcased at the festival. 

“My first jazz festival feels like when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth! Every year, the quality has increased,” he added. 

The role of media in enhancing the jazz festival experience cannot be overlooked.

Harris elaborated on the collaborative efforts with festival organisers and other stakeholders to create an engaging atmosphere.

“We work closely with the organisers, the city, and various other organisations. We have to put our radio station in Greenmarket Square or at the CTICC when business really gets cracking,” he explained.

“There are a lot of people, conversations, and logistics involved, but somehow we make it work.”

Harris also highlighted the festival’s role in advancing music in South Africa, noting its ability to integrate jazz with other genres.

“The jazz festival does spread its appeal and is no longer a hardcore jazz event. That is also what is so beautiful about the event - it allows jazz to flow into other genres. You see all the smiling faces out there,” he said.

As the jazz festival has developed and grown over the years, many jazz purists have voiced their opinions that the festival has moved away from its core values.

Harris, however, sees it quite differently.

“I don’t think that they are necessarily wrong. I think you would find a lot of jazz purists who will come away from this and say this was amazing. I think bands like Incognito will capture a lot of people’s attention. There will be something that will please everybody," he said. 

As we reached the end of our discussion, Harris offered a word of advice to upcoming artists who want to perform at events like the CTIJF. 

“I know that there are only so many days of the jazz festival, therefore there can only be so many artists performing. But somehow you have to hold your hand higher than the rest of them and get yourself on this type of stage."

"On the two days that are paid for, it is almost sold out - it’s an environment that you want to place yourself in. If you are just getting into this space, then you have to shout as loud as possible so we can see you!”