Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2027 Reveals First Line-Up

The Cape Town International Jazz Festival has announced its first group of performers for its 2027 edition, with Simphiwe Dana, the Mahotella Queens, Ballaké Sissoko and Mohini Dey among the artists confirmed. The announcement also includes Bongeziwe Mabandla, The Joy, Internet Athi, Vuyo Viwe, Thandeka Mfinyongo, Emma Nissen and Yarwood.

The festival will run from March 4 to 26, 2027, under the theme March: The Month of the Mother City. The expanded programme will take performances and cultural activities to venues and public spaces across Cape Town, with the main festival weekend scheduled for March 19 to 21.

Photo: Instagram/@Mahotella Queens

Among the South African performers, Dana’s appearance with special guest Mabandla is one of the key pairings. Dana is known for combining jazz, soul and African musical influences, while Mabandla draws on folk music and isiXhosa songwriting. His albums include Mangaliso, iimini and amaXesha.

The Mahotella Queens will also perform, bringing their contribution to South African mbaqanga music to the festival. Formed in Johannesburg in 1964, the group became known for its vocal harmonies and recordings that helped popularise the genre.

The Joy, a five-member a cappella group from Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal, will represent the country’s isicathamiya tradition. The group has gained international recognition through its performances and musical collaborations. Cape Town-born Internet Athi, whose real name is Athenkosi Cetyana, is also on the line-up. His music combines jazz, folk and R&B.

Flautist and composer Vuyo Viwe and musician Thandeka Mfinyongo are among the other local performers. Mfinyongo is an ethnomusicologist who works with traditional Xhosa instruments, including the uhadi and umrhubhe.

Photo: Instagram/@Mohini Dey

The international line-up includes Malian kora player Ballaké Sissoko, Indian bassist Mohini Dey and Swedish-American vocalist Emma Nissen. Sissoko is known for his work with the 21-string kora and his collaborations with musicians across different genres, including French cellist Vincent Ségal.

Dey has performed with musicians such as Steve Vai and A.R. Rahman, drawing on jazz fusion, funk and progressive music. Yarwood, another announced performer, is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist whose music incorporates alternative soul and R&B.

The festival’s expanded programme will include masterclasses, panel discussions, an art exhibition, a fashion show and community performances. Confirmed venues include the Company’s Garden, Greenmarket Square, St George’s Cathedral, Artscape Theatre Centre, the Homecoming Centre, Texas Nightclub, Youngblood-Africa Gallery and Guga S’thebe in Langa.

Photo: Instagram/@Ballaké Sissoko

The Homecoming weekend will take place on March 12 and 13, with activities at the Homecoming Centre and Texas Nightclub. Free community concerts are scheduled for Guga S’thebe on March 14 and Greenmarket Square on March 17. The main festival weekend will run from March 19 to 21, with a family day also planned.

Known as Africa’s Grandest Gathering, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival has hosted South African and international musicians since 2000. Further performer announcements and programme details are expected ahead of the 2027 event. Early-bird ticket information is available through the festival’s official website.