Getting a Taste of Cape Town International Jazz Festival | Western Cape Government

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Getting a Taste of Cape Town International Jazz Festival

5 April 2013

Thousands of music-loving Capetonians were bitten by the jazz bug at a free community concert on Greenmarket Square on Wednesday, 3 April 2013. An integral part of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF)for more than a decade, the concert took place in good weather in front of a festive crowd.

The concert has been a regular feature since espAfrika took over the management of the North Sea Jazz Festival and turned it into the CTIJF, the biggest music festival of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Other partners include the City of Cape Town, Western Cape Government and the national Department of Arts and Culture.

Various local and international artists thrilled loyal fans and new listeners with world class music. The Brand New Heavies, one of the UK’s most successful acid-jazz/ funk groups joined Jimmy Dludlu, one of South Africa’s jazz greats, Open Mic Jazz Vocal competition winner Candice Thornton, pop star Jimmy Nevis and the St Joseph’s Marists School band on stage.

With tickets for the 14th CTIJF sold out, music fans had the opportunity to experience a taste of the main festival. Ms Candice Adonis from Pinelands said the free concert offered the crowd a great evening of music, including jazz and jazz fusion.

Festival production director Mr Billy Domingo said the crowd’s enthusiastic response was the obvious answer as to why talented artists were willing to perform at a free concert. “Various artists were given the platform to showcase their talent and entertain the crowd”, he said.

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) is committed to giving emerging artists exposure to performing at major event. Mr William Masemola of DCAS said the concert inspired many aspiring artists, boosted tourism to the Western Cape, and promoted music and the arts.

This permanent feature on Cape Town’s social calendar showed the festival’s commitment to the city as the size of the crowd grows annually. Under the slogan, “Africa’s grandest gathering”, the CTJIF will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Friday 5 April and Saturday 6 April 2013.

Media Enquiries: 

William Masemola
Directorate: Arts and Culture
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 5964
E-mail: William.Masemola@westerncape.gov.za