Jazz festival promises strong programme
Hundreds of jobs to be created during the two-day event
FOR THE 19th edition of the Cape Town Jazz Festival (CTIJF), it’s all about making sure every artist is a star.
Billy Domingo, chief operating officer of espAfrika and Festival Director of CTIJF, said the aim was to create a strong programme.
“Rooted and inspired in jazz legacy with known favourites, but also with the excitement of discovering new material and artists that will blow fans away with their musical creativity,” he said speaking at the V&A Waterfront yesterday.
Independent Media, the Department of Arts and Culture and host city, City of Cape Town, will once again be proud sponsors of the musical extravaganza alongside South African Tourism, Amstel, Johnnie Walker and Peninsula Beverages.
Independent Media’s group executive for marketing and communication, Lutfia Vayej, said the sustainable training and development programmes, job creation opportunities and the promotion of local talent and artists on the African continent were in line with Independent Media’s empowerment and development objectives and the key reason for the company’s sponsorship of the festival once again.
“The many side events leading up to the festival, like the art, journalism, photography and music workshops, the focus on nurturing local talent and the creation of hundreds of jobs before and during the festival, have all added value to Independent Media’s investment in the festival.
“Of course, this is also a great opportunity for us to indirectly and directly engage with our various audiences, advertisers and key stakeholders,” said Vayej.
espAfrika, the organiser of the country’s longest-running and best-loved jazz festival, has pooled a potent line-up of cutting edge creators to ensure a blockbuster festival.
Domingo’s deft sound design skirts everything from hip hop to Ethio-jazz to Indo pop, Afro Cuban, bebop, R&B, hypnotic avantfunk and neo soul – all in pursuit of the world’s most celebrated jazz.
“Together with our customary panel of music experts, I believe we have melded a cracking line-up that will appeal to exacting Festinos who join us every year to celebrate, but also to a newer and younger audience who are uncovering the delights of their own musical journeys through the CTIJF,” Domingo said.
Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille said the city was a proud supporter of the event
“For nearly two decades, the City of Cape Town has been a proud host of CTIJF, which brings the world’s very best in jazz and other popular music genres to our shores.
“It has added immense value to our efforts to become the events capital of Africa. Indeed, we hold the title proudly but we are grateful for the efforts of organisers of the spectacular jazz festival, which never fails to impress with a stellar and dynamic line-up each year,” she said.
The 19th Cape Town International Jazz Festival will take place on March 23 and 24 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Tickets are available at Computicket.