As if there was any further evidence needed of the significance of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, President Jacob Zuma provided it when he singled out the festival as a valued event in his recent State of the Nation Address at the opening of Parliament.
“The Cape Town International Jazz Festival is a great example of the potential of our country to package world class entertainment with a true, warm South African welcome. The festival’s grown in stature over the years and for us the festival’s domestic and international tourism impact is considerable,” Ms January-McLean added of an event that saw 34 000 jazz lovers from around the world attend the festival’s 2 days last year.
This year’s event – taking place on the 25th and 26th of March at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) – boasts an impressive line-up that includes celebrated local artists as well as respected musicians from around the world. In addition to ensuring that audiences have unlimited choice by putting up 40 bands on 5 stages over 2 days, festival organisers, working jointly with musicians, have put together several “concept bands”. These are bands that are specifically assembled for this year’s event – a global first that is sure to set the benchmark for events of this nature in years to come.
In addition to the “concept bands”, the other headline acts that will join the festival include Best New Artist Grammy winner Esperanza Spalding, international artists Dave Koz, Hanjin Tan and Bebe Winans as well as the much-loved Earth, Wind and Fire. The line-up for this year’s event is sure to deliver outstanding entertainment, no matter what your musical preferences.
Ticket prices for the 2011 festival are: R 365.00 for a single day pass and a two-day weekend pass is R 499.00 As in previous years, there will be an extra fee of R 25.00 per act for patrons wishing to attend concerts on the Rosies stage. Tickets are available at Computicket and Shoprite-Checkers stores.
For the full line up of performers as well as to view details on the various workshops taking place throughout the festival, visit http://www.capetownjazzfest.com.
