Cape Town Jazz Festival reveals line-up
Organisers of the annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival is marking its 18th year with a line-up to captivate jazz purists.
The first artist announcement line-up that will grace the festival's five stages on 31st March and 1st April 2017 drew appreciative support from the assembled guests and media.
Contemporary jazz super group, Jazz Funk Soul with Everette Harp, Jeff Lorber & Paul Jackson Jr, a line-up uniting three of the world's most admired fusion players like saxophonist Everette Harp, keyboardist Jeff Lorber and world-renown guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. all make part of the line-up.
It was also revealed that the 'real funky divas' of En Vogue, multiple SAMA music award winner, Ernie Smith as well as the 2017 winners of the ESP Young Legends competition VuDu is joining the line-up.
"We are undergoing a musical renaissance, where different musical genres and performers are collaborating to create new sounds for new audiences who may come from different walks of life, but who all appreciate what music has to offer," said Festival Director Billy Domingo.
He added that the Cape Town International Jazz Festival has led the live musical journey on the African continent for the past 17 years, and this year they will be showcasing new talent while staging them alongside music masters.
"I couldn't be happier with this line-up as it's a reflection of where we have come from, where we are now and where we are going," Domingo said.
The Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa said the Cape Town International Jazz Festival continues to attract the best musicians from South Africa and abroad.
"The musical collaborations that result from this rich engagement produce music that captures the cultural imagination of our people, builds continental cohesion and speaks to the world at large" Mthethwa said.