The Cape Town International Jazz Festival takes place in Cape Town from the 30 – 31 March 2012 and while you may feel like you are not ‘in the groove’ or ‘in the swing of things’ when it comes to jazz music, it’s not difficult to get into. I admit that I have avoided jazz music in the past because of an innate feeling that it might somehow fall out of my tonal range and I would be left exposed on the dance floor, uncoordinated and out of step. I always thought that it might be exclusively for those that talk the talk and walk the walk. However, I was glad when my friend enticed me to a local jazz scene to prove me wrong. What I found was a genre of music I can actually groove to. The great thing is that you don’t have to be a hard-core jazz aficionado to get hip to the beat. You will find that the festival is a great place to ‘get down’ and enjoy a truly eclectic and talented array of jazz artists, both local and international.
Here’s a tester. If you can groove to this beat, you will find the Cape Town Jazz Festival right up your alley.
Featured artists that will be playing include:
Adam Glasser, Alexander Sinton High School Jazz Band, Alfredo Rodriguez, Allen Stone, Atmosphere, Dave Koz with special guest Patti Austin, David Sanchez and Lionel Loueke, Donald Harrison, Ron Carter And Lenny White, Dorothy Masuku, Gabriel Tchiema, Goodluck, Hassan’adas, Herbie Tsoaeli, HHP, Hugh Masekela & special guests ‘Celebrate Mama Afrika’, Ill Skillz, James Ingram, Jason Reolon Trio, Jean Grae, Kevin Mahogany, Lindiwe Suttle, Marcus Miller, Mike Stern and David Weckl, Nouvelle Vague, Patti Austin Trio, Sophia Foster, Steve Dyer, The Andre Petersen Quintet featuring Marcus Strickland, The Moreira Project, Third World Band, Unathi, Victor Kula, Virtual Jazz Reality (VJR), Xia Jia Trio, Zahara, Zakes Bantwini, Zamajobe.
The low down
Where is it happening? The Cape Town International Convention Centre
When? 30-31 March 2012
What will it cost me?
A weekend pass will cost you R550 and a day pass will cost R400
Rosies Tickets: R30 per performance
For more info visit www.capetownjazzfest.com
Since you will be in the Mother City, be sure to make the most of the province and what it has to offer. Check out this part 1 and part 2 of Craig Leyenaar’s blog on things to do.
For accommodation options in Cape Town go to accommodation.getaway.co.za
Pics courtesy of espAfrika.
