Jazz fans all over the world no longer have to hold their breath with the final announcement of artists for the 13th edition of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival announced yesterday at Katzy’s in Rosebank, Johannesburg. This year’s Cape Town International Jazz Festival will take on March 30 and 31.
The festival continues to titillate South African audiences with the finest in local and international performers at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The headliners reflect the festival’s philosophy of broadening audience’s perspectives of what is understood as ‘jazz’.
Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist and producer, Marcus Miller, is a major artist who headlines the festival. While Millers’ main instrument is bass, his prolific work started in the late 70s.
Another legendary act discovered and introduced by America’s Quincy Jones is Cuban pianist, Alfredo Rodriguez, who will also be performing at the festival.
Other international performers at the festival include Chinese minimalist solo pianist, Xia Jia, and French bossa nova meets nu-wave act, Nouvelle Vague. Joining them is Allen Stone, a storytelling guitarist and singer from Washington, who could be described as a funky white boy with soul. Angolan afro-funk singer and composer, Gabriel Tchiema, completes the line-up of international acts.
According to organisers of the festival, audiences will be thrilled to see legendary South African trumpeter and bandleader, Hugh Masekela, return to the festival and present a special project for the first time on local shores. Masekela, who has rallied up an army of musical giants for ‘MAMA AFRICA’ – will be performing a tribute to the great songbird, Miriam Makeba.
As previously announced, the rest of the line-up for 2012 is completed by the following artists: James Ingram (USA), Dave Koz with special guest Patti Austin (USA), Mike Stern with special guest Dave Weckl (USA), Virtual Jazz Reality (SA), Brubecks play Brubeck (USA/SA), Ron Carter, Donald Harrison and Lenny White (USA), Andre Petersen Quintet (SA), Atmosphere (USA), Jean Grae (USA), Goodluck (SA), Zamajobe (SA), Zahara (SA), The Jason Reolon Trio (SA), David Sanchez with special guest Lionel Loueke (Puerto Rico/Benin), The Moreira Project (Mozambique) and Alexander Sinton High School Jazz Band (SA).