The Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF), a cornerstone event cherished by jazz aficionados, is making its highly anticipated return to the Cape Town International Convention Centre on May 3-4, 2024. This marks the festival’s comeback after a four-year absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic, featuring an innovative setup with four revamped stages.
Previously recognized as Kippies, Moses Molelekwa, and Rosies, the stages have been rebranded for this year’s festival as Sapphire, Ruby, and Emerald, respectively, with an additional outdoor stage named Topaz.
A Global and Local Melody
The festival is set to host an eclectic mix of talent from across the globe, blending traditional African jazz with modern musical styles. While the final artist lineup is still being confirmed, attendees can expect a diverse array of performances from international acts such as Matt Bianco, Kokoroko, and The Yussef Dayes Experience from the United Kingdom. They will share the stage with South African luminaries including Mandisi Dyantyis, Radio Sechaba, Zoë Modiga, and Carlo Mombelli & The Prisoners of Strange.
We have worked hard over the past few months to compile a programme that pays homage to the heritage of our jazz roots, but also speaks to the exciting future of music that is embracing all jazz-related genres as anthems for a new tomorrow,
said Lindsay Rhoda, Head of Talent at Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
New Attractions and Ticketing
2024’s festival introduces the Flavour Junction on the ground floor, a new culinary attraction featuring food trucks and assorted bars, along with Jazz Ensemble, an enhanced VIP experience offering a luxury lounge, expansive buffet, and complimentary beverages.
The Jazz Café presents a ‘Goldilocks’ option for festival-goers, providing complimentary snacks and a dedicated cash bar. General admission tickets are priced at R950 per night, granting access to the Sapphire and Topaz stages. Access to the Emerald and Ruby stages requires an additional surcharge ticket, priced at R30 per person per show.
Star-Studded Lineup
The stage will light up with a variety of artists arriving in Cape Town for the event. These include Moonchild, MonoNeon, Judith Sephuma, Mi Casa, Thandi Ntuli, Hilton Schilder, and Tunde from Lighthouse Family, among others. This festival is not just a celebration of jazz but an inclusive event that captures the essence of both African and global music scenes.
The 2024 festival experience is a nuanced anthem to where the world finds itself at present,
Rhoda remarked.
At the crossroads of a new age, with a progression of artists adding their authentic and musical signatures to the messages of those who have already set the message.
In a nod to tradition and perhaps in response to demand from longtime fans, the festival organizers have decided to revert the stage names to their original, beloved titles. Attendees can now plan their evenings around performances at the Kippies, Manenberg, Rosies, and Moses Molelekwa stages.
For those eager to secure their spot, tickets are available through Ticketmaster and more details about the full lineup can be found on the official Cape Town Jazz Festival website. This year’s CTIJF promises to be a memorable resurgence of one of the most iconic music festivals on the continent, blending rich musical heritage with contemporary innovation.
