Experience the magic of Igor Butman, renowned Russian saxophonist at CTIJF's second night

World-famous Russian saxophone player Igor Butman is thrilled to be serenading festinos at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF).

Together with his quartet, which includes Oleg Akkuratov (piano), Nikolay Zatolochny (double bass) and Eduard Zizak (drums), Butman and his team are set for an electrifying performance at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on today, Saturday, April 26.

The programme will feature hits from more than 10 of his albums, and ahead of his performance, the globally renowned musician explained in an exclusive interview with “Independent Media” that performing at the gathering is a “dream come true.”

“Thanks to (Dr Iqbal) Survé, we are here,” he exclaimed.

Having always admired the CTIJF, this will be Butman’s first performance at the event and only his second visit to the Mother City.

“So far, I am loving it, and I was here for the first time three months ago when I visited for a vacation and to do some sightseeing.”

He believes that the event “is a great idea to get all the music lovers to get together and to see the best musicians in the world, to share the music and to share the culture.”

He added: “As musicians, we bring people great emotions, we make the world more positive, and we make people fall more in love with themselves, which I think is the greatest thing.”

Coming from a musical background with a father and a brother who are both drummers, Butman has had a passion for music since he was a child.

Although he could have followed in their footsteps, he picked up a saxophone when he was 14, and he has never looked back.

With a career as a jazz musician which extends decades, he has performed for world leaders, including former US president Bill Clinton, who referred to Butman as his favourite saxophonist.

He said that performing for the likes of Clinton as well as other presidents as a “big responsibility” but he hopes to touch the souls of all those who listen to his music.

Meanwhile, Butman also has a love for South African jazz music, with a particular affection for the late South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela, whom he met in 2013 in Turkey.

“I love his music, his beautiful ideas and his great imagination, and I would have loved to have invited him to Russia to perform.”

Butman is also looking forward to collaborating with other South African musicians in the future, as well as inviting them to perform in Russia.

Ahead of his CTIJF debut, he concluded that he hopes his performance resonates with attendees and that they use his music to connect and to understand each other.