Cape Town transforms into the ultimate jazz capital for two unforgettable nights as the Cape Town International Jazz Festival takes center stage. Known as “Africa’s Grandest Gathering,” this world-renowned event attracts music lovers, legendary performers, and rising stars from across the globe. Set to take place on March 27 – 28, 2026, the festival delivers a dynamic lineup spanning jazz, soul, funk, and more, promising an electrifying atmosphere where rhythm and culture collide.
Whether you’re a seasoned jazz enthusiast or simply looking to soak up the festival’s infectious energy, this guide covers everything you need to know. From its storied history to the must-see performances and insider tips, here’s why the Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2026 deserves a spot on your calendar.
All About the Cape Town International Festival 🎶
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival has earned its place as one of the most prestigious jazz events in the world, attracting top-tier musicians and passionate jazz lovers from across the globe. Since its inception in 2000, the festival has showcased a stellar lineup of international and African artists, blending traditional jazz with contemporary sounds.
Legendary performers like Herbie Hancock, Dave Koz, Hugh Masekela, Abdullah Ibrahim, and Esperanza Spalding have graced its stages, delivering unforgettable performances. With multiple stages, an electric atmosphere, and a diverse lineup that spans jazz, soul, funk, and fusion, the festival continues to push boundaries while honouring jazz’s rich legacy.
Year after year, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival distinguishes itself through its unwavering commitment to excellence and its embrace of innovation. Held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), the festival creates an immersive experience where music, culture, and creativity collide. Beyond the performances, masterclasses, workshops, and networking opportunities allow emerging artists to learn from industry greats, keeping the spirit of jazz alive for future generations.
Its ability to evolve while staying true to the essence of jazz makes it the best jazz festival in Africa and a must-attend event for any music lover. Whether you’re here for the smooth melodies, high-energy jams, or the vibrant Cape Town backdrop, this festival delivers an experience that lingers long after the last note fades.
Website: https://www.capetownjazzfest.com/
Dates: March – 27/28, 2026
Contact: 021 671 0506
Purchase Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.co.za
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival Highlights 🎺
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival lights up the city with top local and international artists performing across multiple stages. From jazz and soul to funk and fusion, the 2026 lineup promises unforgettable live shows, and vibrant energy, all set against Cape Town’s dynamic cultural backdrop.
Here are some of the performers you just can’t miss:
On the Kippies Stage
Nduduzo Makhathini
Nduduzo Makhathini, the visionary South African pianist and composer, takes center stage at the 2026 Cape Town International Jazz Festival with his transformative project, An Ongoing Rehearsal Our-Ke(s)tra RSA, featuring special guests. Born in uMgungundlovu and deeply rooted in Zulu cosmology, Makhathini masterfully blends jazz improvisation with ancestral traditions and the healing power of sound. A celebrated Blue Note artist known for acclaimed works like Modes of Communication and In the Spirit of Ntū, he continues to earn global praise for his spiritually infused music.
This one-of-a-kind performance rehearses future sounds, creating an immersive, defining experience in spiritual and South African jazz. As a key figure in the festival’s diverse lineup alongside international and local talents, Makhathini promises a profound, uplifting highlight for attendees at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Scorpion Kings
Scorpion Kings, the powerhouse Amapiano duo of DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small, bring electrifying energy to the 2026 Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Widely regarded as pioneers and architects of the genre’s global rise, they have created countless memorable moments for fans worldwide, including filling Loftus Versfeld Stadium during their landmark 2025 tour – a generational milestone for Amapiano.
Performing on the Kippies stage on March 27, Scorpion Kings promise an unforgettable, high-energy set packed with chart-topping hits, log drum basslines, piano-driven grooves, and infectious rhythms. Their appearance bridges contemporary African sounds with the festival’s jazz roots, delivering groove, movement, and emotion that speak to the music’s evolution.
Yussef Dayes
Yussef Dayes, the acclaimed British drummer and bandleader, returns to the 2026 Cape Town International Jazz Festival with The Yussef Dayes Experience on the Kippies stage, Saturday, March 28. Fresh off his triumphant 2024 headline appearance, this boundary-pushing artist brings immersive journeys of rhythm, energy, and emotion to the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
His 2023 debut solo album marked the rise of a defining sound blending jazz, soul, hip-hop, and broken beat influences. Known for collaborations with Yussef Kamaal, Tom Misch, Masego, Kali Uchis, and Kehlani, Dayes stands as a flagbearer for UK jazz and Black classical music. His live sets deliver virtuosic drumming, innovative production, and Afro-inspired grooves that captivate global audiences.
Back by popular demand after electrifying past performances, expect a high-energy, soul-stirring set that fuses contemporary innovation with deep musical roots. In a lineup featuring Jacob Collier, Nduduzo Makhathini, and Scorpion Kings, Dayes promises an unforgettable highlight for jazz lovers.
Sheila E.
Sheila E., the legendary “Queen of Percussion,” returns to the 2026 Cape Town International Jazz Festival after a decade, performing with Sheila E. & The E-Train on the Kippies stage at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on March 28. Hailing from Oakland, California, she was mentored by her father, Latin jazz percussionist Pete Escovedo, and shaped by the Bay Area’s vibrant mix of Latin jazz, funk, rock, and R&B.
A world-class drummer, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Sheila E. rose to fame through iconic collaborations with Prince during the Purple Rain era, delivering Grammy-nominated hits like “The Glamorous Life” and “A Love Bizarre.” Her impressive resume includes work with Herbie Hancock, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Beyoncé, and Ringo Starr.
Beyond the stage, she’s an actress, author, and philanthropist via her Elevate Hope Foundation, championing arts education and youth empowerment. Expect a high-energy, rhythm-driven set blending percussive mastery, soulful grooves, and timeless hits that bridge jazz, funk, and global influences. In a star-studded lineup with Jacob Collier, Nduduzo Makhathini, Scorpion Kings, and Yussef Dayes, Sheila E. delivers an unforgettable, beat-following spectacle for festival-goers.
Manenberg Stage
Jazzwrld
Jazzwrld (formerly Jazzworx) & Thukuthela, the breakout South African duo, make their highly anticipated debut at the 2026 Cape Town International Jazz Festival, bringing their signature 3-Step sound to the lineup at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Dubbed the sound of summer 2025, this innovative act fuses jazz, amapiano, Afro-tech, Afro-pop, and electronic soul into boundary-pushing grooves driven by three-kick rhythms and emotive vocals. Following their chart-topping album The Most Wanted—featuring platinum hits like “Uzizwa Kanjan,” “Tholukuthi (Clap Song),” “uValo,” and “uMA weNGANE”—they’ve sold out headline shows, amassed millions of streams, and earned spots on platforms like OkayAfrica and Apple Music’s New Jazz playlists.
Jazzwrld, a sought-after producer collaborating across SA’s alternative and jazz scenes, teams with dynamic vocalist and songwriter Thukuthela, known for genre-crossing versatility and Red Bull-supported showcases. Together, they represent the next generation of South African jazz expression, blending live instrumentation with electronic production for infectious, heartfelt energy.
Moses Stage
Rorisang Sechele
Rorisang Sechele, one of South Africa’s rising vocal powerhouses, graces the 2026 Cape Town International Jazz Festival with a soul-stirring performance of her acclaimed project The Seed. Establishing herself as a commanding voice in contemporary jazz, she fearlessly blends the smooth warmth of R&B, introspective neo-soul, spiritual gospel depths, and African influences into an unapologetic, genre-defying sound.
Her debut album The Seed (released 2025) invites listeners on a profound journey of self-discovery, with fan-favorite tracks like “Inner Peace” and “Freedom” showcasing her emotive storytelling and vocal prowess. Drawing from her roots, Sechele creates intimate yet expansive music that resonates deeply.
On March 27, 2026, Rorisang brings her infectious energy to one of the world’s most celebrated jazz stages. Known for her electrifying live shows, she blends smooth melodies with pulsating beats, keeping the crowd entranced from start to finish. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering her music for the first time, this performance promises to be a festival highlight. Don’t miss the chance to witness Rorisang’s genre-bending brilliance live in Cape Town!
Yellowjackets
Yellowjackets, the legendary GRAMMY-winning American jazz fusion band, headline the 2026 Cape Town International Jazz Festival with their signature blend of sophisticated compositions, impeccable musicianship, and genre-blending innovation. Formed in 1977, the enduring group has evolved over nearly five decades while preserving a dynamic sound rooted in jazz, funk, and world influences.
The current lineup features founding member Russell Ferrante on expressive piano and synths; longtime saxophonist and composer Bob Mintzer, whose work is studied globally; powerhouse drummer William Kennedy, renowned for precision and groove on Pearl drums; and rising bassist Dane Anderson, adding fresh melodic depth and energy.
Celebrated worldwide for their creativity, virtuosity, and boundary-pushing approach, Yellowjackets deliver captivating, high-level performances that showcase technical mastery and emotional depth. At the Cape Town International Convention Centre, expect a masterclass in contemporary jazz excellence from one of the genre’s most influential acts.
Rosies Stage
Abdullah Ibrahim
Abdullah Ibrahim, the legendary South African pianist and composer widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest, headlines the 2026 Cape Town International Jazz Festival in a historic homecoming performance. At 91, the District Six-born icon – once praised by Nelson Mandela as surpassing Bach and Beethoven – brings nine decades of mastery to the stage.
A pioneer who fused bebop with Cape Town’s distinct sensibility, he co-founded The Jazz Epistles in 1959 (South Africa’s first jazz album by local musicians) alongside Hugh Masekela and others, and formed lifelong partnerships like with Sathima Bea Benjamin. Exiled after the Sharpeville Massacre, he collaborated with Duke Ellington in Europe before returning in 1990 to perform at Mandela’s 1994 inauguration.
His music blends African traditions, gospel, Cape jazz, and global improvisation with quiet intensity, spiritual depth, and emotional clarity. This rare appearance promises a profound, soul-stirring set from a true architect of South African jazz heritage.
Get ready to immerse yourself in a weekend of world-class music, cultural connections, and unforgettable memories at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2026. With its rich legacy, powerhouse performances, and electric atmosphere, this isn’t just a music festival, it’s a celebration of rhythm, soul, and the spirit of Africa.
🎷 Mark your calendar for March 27 – 28, 2026, and join the global community of music lovers in the heart of Cape Town.
✨ Book your tickets, plan your stay, and prepare to experience Africa’s Grandest Gathering like never before.
👉 For the full festival guide and insider tips, head to the Cape Town International Jazz Festival website and let the countdown begin!
