As the countdown begins to one of the country’s most anticipated musical celebrations, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) is ready to enchant audiences again with an enthralling tapestry of sound celebrating the icons who paved the way and the exciting new and local artists shaping the future – paying homage to the theme “Legacy Meets Tomorrow”.
Scheduled for Friday and Saturday April 25 and 26, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), this year’s festival features an ensemble of homegrown Cape talent, from Hanover Park and Grassy Park to Gugulethu, Mitchell’s Plain, District Six, Rondebosch and many more Mother City neighbourhoods.
Among them, rooted in Cape Town’s rich cultural tapestry, is the Ramon Alexander Trio featuring Leslie Kleinsmith.
A soulful union of jazz tradition and expressive storytelling, The Ramon Alexander Trio featuring Leslie Kleinsmith bring harmony, heritage and Cape soul to the #CTIJF2025 stage.
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A jazz pianist from Mamre who completed a BSc in Agriculture (viticulture and oenology) at Stellenbosch University, Ramon Alexander will be collaborating with veteran District Six vocalist Leslie Kleinsmith at the festival, their performances bound to be a heartfelt fusion of jazz improvisation and soulful storytelling.
Four powerhouse musicians, Donvino Prins, Kyle Shepherd, Jonathan Rubain, and Cameron Ward, unite for an unforgettable performance at #CTIJF2025. With deep roots in jazz and a sound that defines the city, this is a performance you won’t want to miss.
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Then there is also the powerhouse collective of South Africa’s most electrifying musicians – saxophonist Don Vino Prins, guitarist Cameron Ward, bassist Jonathan Rubain and pianist Kyle Shepherd, hailing from Elsies River, Lotus River, Hanover Park and Grassy Park, among others. This All-Star Group each bring their unique mastery to the stage.
Also from Hanover Park originally, is trumpeter and composer Muneeb Hermans who has rapidly emerged as one of South Africa’s premier jazz talents. Rooted in the Cape Minstrel tradition and a University of Cape Town graduate, Hermans has graced international stages, including London’s EFG Jazz Festival and Carnegie Hall.
There is also Mitchell’s Plain’s own – bassist, composer, and sonic explorer Benjamin Jeptha, standing at the forefront of contemporary jazz, effortlessly fusing African rhythms with modern jazz and hip-hop.
Benjamin Jephta featuring Kujenga is bringing an electrifying fusion of contemporary jazz, deep grooves, and South African soul to CTIJF2025 on Saturday April 26.
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Jeptha, who is based in Johannesburg where he lectures in Jazz Studies and Film Composition at the University of the Witwatersrand, will be joined by the deeply evocative Kujenga; this performance will be a masterclass in groove, harmony, and improvisation – an immersive experience that speaks to both heart and intellect.
Another Cape Town jazz virtuoso is Thembi Dunjana from Gugulethu, who started playing piano at the age of 11.
After completing a jazz degree at the University of Cape Town, she released her debut album, Intyatyambo, receiving two Mzansi Jazz awards.
Her new album, God Bless iKapa. God Bless Mzantsi, released under US label Ropeadope/ AfricArise fuses SA and American jazz elements.
Thembi Dunjana is set to enchant at CTIJF 2025, bringing her signature sound and masterful artistry to the festival stage.
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God Bless iKapa. God Bless Mzantsi is a tribute to her home city Cape Town (iKapa) and her country of birth, South Africa (Mzantsi).
It features the tracks, Echoes of Gugulethu, a song that remembers her upbringing in one of Cape Town’s oldest townships, Gugulethu and A City Dream – this song is an ode to the city and the golden opportunities that the city has in store for those who dare to dream.
Then there is The Ploemies, another of the many local gems that can be seen at #CTIJF2025.
This pioneering group of musicians, which features four jazz musicians with upbringings in previously disenfranchised neighbourhoods rife with gangsterism, drugs and poverty, launched their debut album, Unfinished Business, this past weekend.
Vibrant, rebellious, and unfiltered, The Ploemies bring an electrifying energy to the stage. Their music is a bold fusion of jazz, rock, and alternative sounds, filled with sharp improvisation and an unmistakable edge. Expect a performance that is unpredictable, high-octane, and impossible to ignore.
For the full artist line-up on April 25 and 26 for “Africa’s grandest gathering” in the Mother City and all you need to know about #CTIJF2025, visit https://www.capetownjazzfest.com
Tickets available from Ticketmaster.