Big names in jazz fest line-up

A STELLAR line-up for the next Cape Town International Jazz Festival has been announced, with Sipho Hotstix Mabuse, Courtney Pine and Basia set to grace local stages.

Known as “Africa’s Grandest Gathering”, five stages will host acts at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, with more than 38 000 revellers descending on the city.

The Cape Town-based trio Beatenberg, with members Matthew Field, 25, on vocals and guitar, Ross Dorkin, 24, on bass and Robin Brink, 24, on drums, are new entrants to the festival.

Their first album Farm Photos was released independently in 2011. In 2012, they performed at Rocking the Daisies. But this year has marked their breakout. Their DJ Clock-collaborated hit Pluto (Remember Me) took radio stations and the local pop scene by storm.

Brink said the group were honoured to be part of the lineup. “It’s our first time playing at the festival. For us this is crazy, it’s huge. I can’t believe that our band’s name is on a poster with all those other legends.

“We all love jazz. We also want to bring our music to a different audience – a jazz audience – to everyone who appreciates good music,” Dorkin said.

Mayor Patricia de Lille said: “The City of Cape Town wants to ensure greater recognition of culture and heritage. We want to celebrate our cultural landscape.”

Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa said the festival was an important “flag-bearer” for the role and contribution of the performing arts in tourism, nation-building and economic development.

The festival will take place on the weekend of March 27 and 28, 2015. Bookings opened yesterday.