Whether you consider yourself a hardened hip-hop head or just a general lover of music, the annual Cpt Jazz Fest is something you’re going to want to buy tickets for (unless you’re us, then you just get tickets and sip really slow while enjoying the sounds of the likes of Jean Grae, Pharoah Monch , Hugh Masekela and company, all artists who’ve headlined the event in previous years). The aim of the initiative has always been to marry the best local and international sounds under the umbrella of live music for the enjoyment of every kind of music enthusiast. Now in its 14th year (2013), the festival is looking to get even bigger and better, already revealing the first 13 of their confirmed acts.
Of course, in order to get bigger and better, you have to secure the best in the business. This year, among other greats such as world-famous, Acedemy Award nominated Buena Vista Social Club featuring Omara Portuondo (Cuba), Acid funk jazz group the Brand New Heavies (UK) and Grammy nominates Jazz vocalist, songwriter and actor Gregory Porter (USA); Khuli Chana, AKA, Mi Casa and vocalist, Zonke, will be headlining the show to compliment what is an already world class line up of talent across every genre.
Where the jazz festival was previously viewed as an event for the more grown (and not to mention paid) crowd, over the years the event has evolved to include a comprehensive roster of assorted sounds. “We are delighted with this line-up. Once again we have been able to secure world-class international acts as well as the cream of our local talent. There is something for everyone from lovers of traditional jazz to younger audiences looking to hear more mainstream, popular music. Festival goers will not be disappointed,” says Rashid Lombard, festival director and CEO of espAfrika.
The festival will also presents a series of workshops that take place at various venues throughout the CBD and greater Cape Town area over an 8 day period. This social investment component explores various elements of the jazz world and includes Arts Journalism Workshops, as well as Music and Photographic Workshops, Music Business Classes, and Master Classes.
Tickets for this year’s event will go on sale on Saturday, 1 December, and will be available for purchase at Computicket outlets, Shoprite Checker’s outlets and via the Computicket website. The ticket prices are as follows: day passes: R440, weekend passes: R645 and Rosies Stage tickets are R30 (per performance).
The festival will take place on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th April 2013 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
For more information on this year’s event go to www.capetownjazzfest.com