At the heart of jazz lies a timeless duality - one that honours the past while forging bold new paths. The next wave of artists joining the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) 2025 embodies this very spirit: musicians whose work is deeply rooted in tradition yet fearlessly innovative, who weave together sounds from across the globe to create something entirely new.
Whether through the pulse of Pan-African rhythms, the reinvention of South African jazz, the fusion of Indian classical music with contemporary grooves, or the raw emotional storytelling of alternative African pop, these artists transcend genres, borders, and expectations.
Today, CTIJF proudly unveils the first tranche of the phase 2 line-up, featuring a collection of ground-breaking artists who define the future of music while staying deeply connected to their cultural and musical heritage.
iPhupho L’ka Biko: A Sonic Revolution for the Soul
Johannesburg-based Pan-Africanist collective iPhupho L’ka Biko is more than a band - it’s a movement. Founded by bassist and composer Nhlanhla Ngqaqu, their music serves as a bridge between jazz and indigenous African musical traditions and deep, spiritual storytelling.
Their sound is a prayer, a protest, and an awakening. With releases like "uThixo uKhona" and "Azania", they have ignited conversations about identity and liberation, earning critical acclaim from global music platforms.
Their inclusion in CTIJF is a testament to their power as torchbearers of a Pan-African sound that refuses to be contained.
Malcolm Jiyane: The visionary of South African jazz
Malcolm Jiyane, a master of trombone and piano, is one of the most evocative voices in modern jazz. His celebrated album "UMDALI" showcased his ability to balance structure and improvisation, tradition and exploration.
Now, with" True Story", he expands his sonic landscape, blending joy and sorrow with striking emotional depth. Prioritising feeling over technicality, "True Story" moves between funk-inflected polyrhythms, as heard on MaBrrrrrrrrr, and stripped-down, emotive arrangements.
"Memory Is the Weapon" opens with haunting rain sounds and synthesised vocalisations, setting a melancholic tone, while "Global Warming" deepens the mood with loose, atmospheric grooves.
Yet, the album also soars - "Baby Ngimanzi Wuthando" bursts with bright horn and vocal harmonies reminiscent of "UMDALI"’s most joyous compositions.
Jiyane channels the spirits of South Africa’s musical and political heroes, his trombone at times meditative and holy, at others raw with uncontainable energy.
"True Story" is a record of striking contrasts - lightness and hope entwined with aching resonance. His ability to reinvent South African jazz makes his CTIJF 2025 performance unmissable.
Born from the melting pot of the Western Cape’s vibrant yet complex musical history, The Ploemies are a collective of young virtuosos rewriting the script on South African jazz fusion.
With Bradley Prince (electric guitar), Duncan Johnson (saxophone), Shaun Johannes (electric bass guitar), and Keno Carelse (drums) at the helm, their music is a high-energy collision of jazz, funk, Ghoema, and global influences.
By spotlighting lesser-known South African composers, The Ploemies are not only preserving tradition but evolving it, making them one of the most exciting new acts on the festival circuit.
Bombay Lights (India): A Fusion First in Jazz
Indian band Bombay Lights is breaking new ground by seamlessly merging Indian classical music, jazz, and African rhythms into a spellbinding fusion.
Led by drummer Vinayak Pol, the band introduces the shehnai - an ancient Indian instrument - into a jazz ensemble, crafting compositions that are both deeply rooted and utterly modern.
Their distinctive sound has captivated audiences across India, and their upcoming EP promises to push the boundaries even further. This is a global jazz experience unlike anything CTIJF has hosted before.
Bongeziwe Mabandla: A Voice That Transcends Borders
A multi-award-winning artist, Bongeziwe Mabandla is a singular voice redefining African music. His genre-defying sound - a fusion of Xhosa folk, alternative pop, and electronic textures - has earned him SAMA awards, a Feather Award for Musician of the Year, and critical praise from international media.
His latest album, "amaXesha", was named “Global Album of the Month” by "The Guardian", and his 2024 world tour has solidified his status as one of the most captivating live performers today. Whether through music, fashion, or storytelling, Mabandla continues to push creative boundaries, making him an essential addition to the CTIJF stage.
The artists revealed in phase 2 of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival line-up share a common thread - they honour tradition while fearlessly forging new sounds, they transcend borders yet remain deeply rooted in their cultural identities, and they push the boundaries of jazz, alternative, and fusion music into uncharted territories.
“For us, the magic of CTIJF lies in its ability to bring together artists who honour the legacy of jazz while fearlessly pushing it forward.
This year’s line-up is a testament to that vision, showcasing musicians who embrace their roots while crafting new sonic landscapes,” says Lindsay Rhoda, Talent Manager for the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.co.za. For more information about the festival, download the festival app from an IOS or Apple store, visit www.capetownjazzfest.com and follow the social media handle @theofficialcapetownjazzfestival.