More top talent for 2016 Cape Town International Jazz Festival

American singer and songwriter Cassandra Wilson will grace the Rosies stage with her tribute to Billie Holiday. Many critics acknowledge Wilson as the pre-eminent jazz singer of our time, so for jazz lovers this rich and sublime experience is not to be missed.

Also enhancing the star quality of this glittering line-up is award-winning percussionist, vocalist and producer Sheila E. Her music fuses pop, R&B, funk, rock, Latin and jazz, creating a unique signature that has been heard in solo and as support for stars like Prince, Ringo Starr and Beyoncé.  

Adding even more international weight to the 2016 line-up is JAV (Reunion Island/Mozambique/SA) and French hip-hop and soul mistress Laëtitia Dana.

Of the local talent on offer, new additions to the line-up include reggae band Dr Victor & the Rasta Rebels; Cape jazz master Ramon Alexander; versatile guitar virtuoso Cameron Ward; award-winning jazz pianist Bokani Dyer; guitarist Themba Mokoena, electronic producer Felix Laband; Cape Flats hip-hop crew Driemanskap; kora player and guitarist Derek Gripper; the much-loved Elsies River School Band (SA); the iconic Dorothy Masuka and Abigail Kubeka in 'Legendary Ladies in Song' ft. Lemmy ‘Special’ Mabaso; jazz pianist Tete Mbambisa’s Big Sound; psychedelic duo Christian Tiger School, and the supremely talented Sekunjalo Edujazz Big Band. Replacing Afrika Mkhize on the bill is pianist Nduduzo Makhathini’s 'Listening to the Ground' project ft. Eddie Parker (UK).

Previously announced artists for CTIJF 2016 include Malian blues duo Amadou & Mariam and top American talent in the form of Angie Stone, R&B trio SWV; bassist Victor Wooten and Meshell Ndegeocello. Lesser-known international acts include instrumental jazz trio Badbadnotgood (Canada); tenor saxophonist Mark Turner (USA); jazz and R&B vocalist Lizz Wright (USA); santoor and classical artist Rahul Sharma (India) performing with jazz saxophonist George Brooks (USA) and jazz pianist Roberto ‘Solo’ Fonseca (Cuba); and supergroup Jazz Attack ft. Peter White, Rick Braun and Euge Groove (USA).

Local talent already announced includes Mafikizolo ft. Tsepo Tshola (Sankomota); Nathi with special guest Vusi Nova; rising songbird Tribute ‘Birdie’ Mboweni; Muzart performing with rapper Khuli Chana; the bassist Benjamin Jephta Quintet; Thandi Ntuli; Cape Town favourites TopDog; and introducing the exciting new music experience of Tumi Mogorosi and Project ELO.

Commenting on the extraordinary line-up, Festival Director Billy Domingo said: “These artists are representative of the diversity of jazz.  Each year we set out to select performers who provide depth and range of music craft, as well as broad entertainment value to our ever discerning audiences. Providing clear proof that Africa is growing as a desirable destination for international artists and tourists alike, I believe we have delivered a line-up that celebrates our diversity, provides variety and one that is certain to appeal to the CTIJF’s local and foreign, faithful ‘Festinos’ and newcomers alike.”

Although weekend passes are officially sold out, day passes are still available at R590 each from Computicket. Limited Rosies Stage tickets cost R30 per performance and will also be available on www.computicket.com from 7 December 2015. For more details visit the CTIJF website. Watches highlights of the 2015 CTIJF in the video below.