Cape Town International Jazz Festival to Host Masterclasses at Artscape Theatre
Masterful Cape Town International Jazz Festival – 2024 Jazz Fest Masterclass Schedule Announced
Music enthusiasts and aspiring musicians are gearing up for a day of inspiration and learning as the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) prepares to host a series of free-to-attend masterclasses at the prestigious Artscape Theatre Centre on Saturday, May 4th.
Sponsored by the global streaming platform Spotify, with support from Artscape and Ozow, these masterclasses promise to be an enriching experience for attendees, providing unique insights into the world of jazz music from renowned industry professionals. Admission to these masterclasses is free, offering a rare opportunity for individuals to engage with experts in the field.
The line-up of masterclass instructors features a diverse array of talent, including:
Nduduzo Makhathini (SA) – Makhathini is a highly acclaimed South African pianist and composer known for his innovative approach to jazz music. Makhathini’s masterclass, is sure to offer invaluable guidance to aspiring musicians looking to hone their skills.
Darshan Doshi Trio featuring Mark Hartsuch and Tony Grey (India/USA) – led by the talented percussionist Darshan Doshi, this trio is known for its dynamic fusion of jazz, Indian classical music, and contemporary sounds. The masterclass is expected to offer a unique perspective on musical fusion and collaboration.
Yussef Dayes (UK) – notable for his ground-breaking work as a drummer and producer, Yussef Dayes is set to share his expertise with attendees. His masterclass promises to be an engaging exploration of rhythm and improvisation.
Gretchen Parlato & Lionel Louke: The Art of the Duo (SA/Benin) – a masterclass on connection, interaction, composition for vocalist & instrumentalists from these multi-award-winning artists who will be performing Lean In – their first duo recording in 20 years – at the CTIJF. Gretchen has been Grammy-nominated in 2024 for Lean In in the Best Jazz Album of the Year category, so this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet and hear from these amazing artists – first hand.
Also hosting a special masterclass, is the series’ sponsor, Spotify, whose Phiona Okuma – Head of Music Sub-Saharan Africa, will lead a session on “Spotify for Artists”, along with Warren Bokwe – Lead, Music Strategy & Operations SSA, and Jodie Tabisher – Artist and Label Partnership Manager, South Africa. Together, they will provide attendees with valuable insights into the digital landscape of music distribution and promotion.
Tabisher says:
“Spotify is excited to partner with the Cape Town International Jazz Festival for this masterclass programme, celebrating jazz while helping to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the genre’s rich history and vibrant future.”
South African jazz vocalist and businesswoman, Bev Scott-Brown will guide the sessions on the day, underlining that it’s a fantastic opportunity for individuals to learn from some of the most talented and innovative artists in the industry.
For Marlene Le Roux, the CEO of Artscape, hosting these educational and music appreciation sessions is at the core of Artscape’s mission to instil a love of the performing arts and to emphasise sustainable theatre practice, education, and development in the space. She says:
“Jazz has become an integral artform presented at Artscape, with a special focus on developing young jazz musicians through our Youth Jazz Programme. We are delighted to partner with the Cape Town International Jazz Festival as host for a series of Jazz Workshops.
“It remains imperative that we continue to provide skills development within the Jazz genre to foster the investment of cultural democratization of our country. Opportunities such as these remain a crucial stepping-stone that provides access to significant role players in the industry while providing skills development within the Jazz genre. This enables young Jazz musicians to take the experience forward into their careers and educate others in the process.”
Scott-Brown also noted the festival’s gratitude to Spotify, Artscape and Ozow for their support in making these masterclasses possible and for their commitment to fostering musical talent around the world.
The masterclasses will take place at The Arena, Artscape on Saturday, May 4th, starting at 09:00 with the doors opening from 08H00. Attendees are encouraged to register online to secure their spot, as seating is limited. Don’t miss this chance to learn from the best in the business and take your musical skills to the next level.
To book for the free masterclasses, please register here.
Partners supporting the Cape Town International Jazz Festival are:
Loot.co.za as presenting partner, City of Cape Town, the official host city, Paramount Pictures with its BET Africa brand SAA, Stella Artois and PenBev, Headset Solutions, Ozow, Orleans Cosmetics, Fabiani, Conde Nast’s Glamour and GQ titles. No event would be successful or have its public recognition if it were not for the tireless and creative efforts of today’s media, and the festival would like to thank all press who have opened their arms to welcome the news of the festival’s return, especially Independent Media, Heart FM, IOL, Africa Community Media, Volt Africa, and Magic 828 who have all put into action their professed love for this iconic festival.
There is something else on offer at this year’s CTIJF, injecting fresh energy into the festival’s atmosphere – the all-new Flavour Junction, which is located on the ground floor, outside, alongside the Topaz stage. Here, there will be food trucks, a selection of bars, and tantalizing treats ensuring that Festinos stay fuelled all night long. For those seeking a more refined dining experience, a selection of upscale options await just beyond the main stage. This year too, there will be the Howler cashless system.
The organisers of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival also have further good news, stage names will revert to their original designations and so once more, there will be Kippies (Sapphire), Manenberg (Topaz), Rosies (Emerald) and Moses Molelekwa (Ruby).
Festival organisers, espAfrika, have also unveiled a revamped VIP hospitality offering that epitomises the spirit of camaraderie. Introducing Jazz Ensemble, a luxurious lounge boasting a sumptuous buffet and complimentary beverages, serving as the ideal gathering point for socializing and networking. Meanwhile, Jazz Café offers an alternative experience for Festinos wanting a little more than a general admission ticket, which grants access to complimentary catering and a dedicated cash bar (the bar will also use the Howler system).
And that’s not all – back by popular demand are the enlightening artist masterclasses which will also be held at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th May, offering enthusiasts a rare opportunity to glean insights from some of the industry’s finest music minds.
There’s only one question – why haven’t you booked your tickets on Ticketmaster yet? Get booking now or go to the website for more info, and for those who want to receive any more exciting news first, download the new Cape Town Jazz Festival app from your app store right now.
This is a cashless event.
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Show Information:
Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Dates:
3 & 4 May 2024
Venue:
Cape Town International Convention Centre
Ticket Prices:
General admission festival ticket at R950 per night per person (access to Sapphire and Topaz stages)
Surcharge tickets are in operation for Emerald (Rosies), and Ruby (Moses Molelekwa) at R30 per person per show
Bookings:
General admission tickets on sale through Ticketmaster
Surcharge Tickets for Ruby and Emerald will be released later
Age Restriction:
No under 10s and no pass outs allowed
Please note: The surcharge is to manage capacity in the venues which can only seat 1500 per show. Festival goers are required to purchase a general festival ticket above to then purchase surcharged show tickets.
