This is what you can expect at the 2025 Cape Town International Jazz Festival

This year, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) is turning up the volume with a lineup that’s as bold, beautiful, and boundary-breaking as the continent itself. Whether you're here for deep-rooted jazz traditions, genre-bending collaborations, or soulful sonic adventures, CTIJF 2025 promises a magical weekend

Epic collaborations & once-in-a-lifetime performances

Internationally acclaimed DJ, Black Coffee will be headlining an exclusive debut collaboration alongside Nduduzo Makhathini — a genre-defying set featuring orchestral arrangements, horns, percussion, and surprise vocalists. This is not just a performance; it’s a landmark musical event years in the making.

entertainment

The Cape Town International Jazz Festival: an all-female power move in the music industry

Masego returns to South Africa with his unmistakable “TrapHouseJazz” groove. Fans can expect charisma, multi-instrumental magic, and the kind of vibe that moves both body and soul.

Incognito, the legendary UK acid jazz pioneers, are bringing the funk, the soul, and the timeless hits for a set that spans generations.

Soul sounds...

Thandiswa Mazwai will be gracing the stage with her electrifying presence. Channeling her Xhosa heritage, jazz, and Afrofuturism into a transformative and transcendent performance.

Renowned Songstress, Lira brings elegance, strength, and soul with a voice that fills hearts and rooms.

Modern R&B queen, Ari Lennox will take the stage with her honey-smooth vocals and deeply personal lyricism.

Steadily building a formidable brand with each powerful performance, Bongeziwe Mabandla is set to deliver intimate, emotionally resonant folk-electronic fusion that lingers long after the final note.

Jazz legends and local heroes

Kyle Shepherd Trio, Benjamin Jephta ft. Kujenga, and Linda Sikhakhane will deliver performances rooted in African jazz heritage while pushing boundaries in bold new directions.

Victor Masondo Quartet ft. Thembi & Bheki Khoza promises synergy, soul, and masterful musicianship.

Nubya Garcia will be gracing the stage with her genre-defying brilliance all the way from the UK, fresh off her acclaimed 2024 album Odyssey.

Global fusion and cross-cultural soundscapes

Plurism brings Swiss-African synergy to life with a powerful, percussive ensemble.

Bombay Lights will transport you through a lush blend of Indian classical, soul, and modern jazz textures.

Ivan Mazuze, blending African, Arab, and Indian influences, crafts a transcendent world jazz experience.

High-energy sets and iconic vibes

Legendary Kwaito band, TKZEE will be transporting fans down memory lane with tunes that will be sure to evoke some sweet memories. The late Magesh's energy will also be felt through heartfelt tributes.

The Brother Moves On mix protest, poetry, and performance art into an electrifying set like no other.

The amapiano pioneer, Kelvin Momo, will bring jazzy, chilled beats straight from the heart of SA’s club scene.

Rising stars to look out for...

Nomfundo Xaluva, Ramon Alexander Trio ft. Leslie Kleinsmith, Thembi Dunjana, Melorie Jane, Kdollahz, and Muneeb Hermans represent the vibrant future of South African jazz and soul.

Gotts Street Park (UK) will mesmerize with their cinematic grooves and vintage soul stylings.

Closing the night right...

Expect late-night euphoria with DJ sets by DJ Masoodah, blending house, jazz, and Afrobeat into a genre-fluid dance floor experience.

Whether you’re a jazz purist or more explorative...

#CTIJF 2025 has something for every musical appetite. With more than 40 acts across multiple stages, this year’s festival is not just a concert — it’s a celebration of culture, creativity, and the universal language of rhythm.