The organisers of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, espAfrika, have announced a stellar line-up of local artists in celebration of Heritage Month.
Festival Director Billy Domingo says the festival continuously strives for a line-up balancing South African, African and international artists.
“International guests come to South Africa to see artists they are not able to see back at home. We have created a legacy of supporting South African artists by providing the international platform they deserve,” says Domingo.
“South African artists add to the rich musical heritage and then combined with the international acts, it provides the unique programming that is synonymous with Africa’s Grandest Gathering.”
The South African artists who will be performing at the 2019 CTIJF are:
* Jazz legend Don Laka
, who has performed with South African notables such as Joy, Brenda Fassie, Sipho Mabuse and Sankomota. His production of singer Hugh Masekela’s album Jabulani earned the duo a Grammy 2013 nomination for the best world music CD.
* Chart-topping vocalist Craig Lucas
, who won The Voice SA in 2017. The economics and politics graduate from Elsies River in Cape Town has a lucrative record deal with Universal Music. His debut single, I Said This achieved number 1 on iTunes within a matter of days if its release.
* Seven-piece indigenous band BCUC
(Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness) is a live music-performing band from Soweto and draws inspiration from indigenous music. The band sings ritual songs, shebeen songs, church songs and infuses these with raps and a rock ‘n roll attitude. Their music has been described as South African afro-psychedelic future pop.
* Jazz master and saxophonist Don Vino
started his musical journey when was 15, performing with local jazz and gospel bands. He has performed with a range of local and international artists, including Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Tevin Campbell, Cece Peniston, Sybil and Percy Sledge. His debut album was called Worried and he is currently working on a second album due for release in 2018.
* Sho Madjozi
calls herself a rapper and she can often be found flexing her rhymes on Gqom beats. Her single Dumi hi Phone with PS DJz went viral, gaining her bookings all over the country. This song has sat on the number 1 spot at Yfm, and been in the top ten of multiple national radio stations including Metro FM. Sho has played some of the biggest shows in the country including Fill Up FNB, Afropunk and Castle Lite Unlocks.
* Creative phenomenon and vocalist Ntsika
is a member and a lead composer with the internationally acclaimed acapella group, The Soil.
He has since also started a solo career and critics have labelled him as a creative phenomenon. His compositions have won a string of awards and he performs across South Africa and beyond. And just like The Soil, which is still very much involved with, his music is all about exploring his heritage.
* Apart from winning two Grammy Awards and four SAMAs, the Soweto
Gospel Choir
featured in two Grammy Awards with other artists and has won an Emmy Award for its collaboration with Bono and U2. It also has an Academy Award nomination for its recording with Peter Gabriel on the Disney Pixar film Wall E. The choir has travelled worldwide over the past 15 years, with concerts at Carnegie Hall, London Festival Hall and the Sydney Opera House, to name a few. They’ve been special guests at the MTV Africa Music Awards and the AFRIMA (All Africa Awards).
In August, for its first festival artist reveal, several femaleled acts were named in honour of Women’s Month.
Previously announced artists include:
* Ten-time Grammy Award winner, Queen of Funk Chaka Khan (USA)
* Award-winning jazz pianist Eliane Elias (Brazil)
* Multi-instrumentalist, neo-soul group Moonchild (USA)
* South Africa’s first all-female big band, The Lady Day Big Band
* Local sensation, singer/ songwriter Shekhinah (SA)
Loyal festival-goers are in for a treat, as a limited amount of Early Bird Weekend Pass tickets are available at R 999. Although already 75% sold out, festinos who act fast can still take advantage of this 20th celebration special. For those who miss out, CTIJF 2019 Weekend Passes will remain the same price as last year. A regular weekend pass will cost you R1290 and a day pass is priced at R850.