2025 ARTIST LINEUP

THE TALENT

THE CTIJF WELCOMES

BLACK COFFEE AND NDUDUZO MAKHATHINI
IN COLLABORATION

World renowned artists, Black Coffee and Nduduzo Makhathini have a deep-rooted background in Jazz that date back to their studies at Technikon Natal, in Durban and cement their shared understanding and passion for music.

Their initial collaboration in 2018 culminated to Black Coffee’s release entitled Music is King where Makhathini features on ‘Muye’ amongst other songs. As the title of this EP suggests, the project aimed at blurring genre compartments while bringing various musical worlds together into one coherent experience. This is the core connection between the two artists — creating sounds that transcend genre politics all while taking things to the highest levels of sonic aesthetic and excellence.

Since these initial encounters and between their busy touring schedules, the two international Award-Winning artists have been working on lots of music together, some released and others not. The coming show at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival will be the inaugural concert where the duet puts together a set that will propel audiences through various repertoires from both incredible talents, ranging from known classics to newly created bodies of work.

This particular presentation will also feature an orchestra, horns, percussion and some very special guests singing some of the wellknown pieces from the duet.

Thandiswa Mazwai

A cultural icon and one of South Africa’s most powerful voices, Thandiswa Mazwai embodies the soul of a nation. Seamlessly weaving Xhosa heritage with jazz, soul, and Afro-futurism, her performances are nothing short of transformative—charged with emotion, storytelling, and an undeniable stage presence. Expect a performance that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Kyle Shepherd Trio

Visionary pianist and composer Kyle Shepherd is a defining force in South African jazz. Leading the Kyle Shepherd Trio, he channels the rich legacy of Cape jazz while fearlessly pushing its boundaries. His music is intricate yet deeply felt, blending tradition with innovation in a way that captivates and challenges the listener. This is jazz at its most dynamic—alive with rhythm, movement, and raw emotion.

Benjamin Jeptha ft. Kujenga

Bassist, composer, and sonic explorer Benjamin Jeptha stands at the forefront of contemporary jazz, effortlessly fusing African rhythms with modern jazz and hip-hop. Joined by the deeply evocative Kujenga, this performance will be a masterclass in groove, harmony, and improvisation—an immersive experience that speaks to both heart and intellect.

Ari Lennox

A voice that drips with soul and raw emotion, Ari Lennox is redefining contemporary R&B with her rich, honeyed vocals and deeply personal storytelling. Effortlessly blending jazz, soul, and modern groove, her performances are intimate yet electrifying—an invitation into a world where vulnerability meets power.

Linda Sikhakhane

With an unmistakable tone and a deep spiritual connection to his craft, saxophonist Linda Sikhakhane is a visionary in modern jazz. His music is meditative yet urgent, rich in African heritage yet strikingly contemporary. Each note he plays tells a story, of tradition, of evolution, of a sound that is always searching for new horizons.

Nomfundo Xaluva

Refined, commanding, and deeply expressive, Nomfundo Xaluva stands at the intersection of jazz and storytelling. With a voice that carries both warmth and conviction, she masterfully weaves intricate melodies with profound narratives, bringing to life a performance that is both elegant and deeply moving.

Victor Masondo Quartet ft. Thembi & Bheki Khoza

When legendary bassist Victor Masondo assembles a quartet, expect nothing less than magic. With the unmistakable artistry of guitarist Bheki Khoza and the soul-stirring vocals of Thembi, this collaboration is a masterclass in musical synergy, where deep-rooted African jazz traditions meet fearless improvisation and boundless expression.

Donvino Prins, Cameron Ward, Jonathan Rubain & Kyle Shepherd

A powerhouse collective of South Africa’s most electrifying musicians, this All-Star Group is a celebration of virtuosity, groove, and pure musical joy. Saxophonist Donvino Prins, guitarist Cameron Ward, bassist Jonathan Rubain, and pianist Kyle Shepherd each bring their unique mastery to the stage, creating a sonic experience that is as deeply rooted as it is boundary-pushing. This is jazz at its most exhilarating.

Lira

A voice that resonates with grace, strength, and pure soul, Lira is a true icon of Afro-soul and jazz. Effortlessly blending rich, velvety vocals with uplifting melodies, she crafts performances that are both intimate and transcendent. Her music carries wisdom, passion, and a timeless elegance—an experience that stays with you long after the final note.

Plurism

A boundary-pushing jazz collective led by drummer and composer Tumi Mogorosi, Plurism is a force of creative expression. Rooted in the avant-garde, yet deeply connected to Africa’s jazz traditions, their sound is unpredictable, immersive, and uncompromisingly bold. Expect a performance that challenges, inspires, and redefines the very essence of jazz.

Bombay Lights

A sonic journey through soul,indian classiscal roots, jazz, and modern textures, Bombay Lights creates music that is both hypnotic and deeply emotive. Their sound pulses with dreamy melodies, intricate rhythms, and an unmistakable cinematic feel, offering a performance that is as immersive as it is unforgettable.

The Ploemies

Vibrant, rebellious, and unfiltered, The Ploemies bring an electrifying energy to the stage. Their music is a bold fusion of jazz, rock, and alternative sounds, filled with sharp improvisation and an unmistakable edge. Expect a performance that is unpredictable, high-octane, and impossible to ignore.

Malcolm Jiyane

Trombonist, composer, and visionary, Malcolm Jiyane crafts music that is raw, deeply spiritual, and emotionally charged. Drawing from South Africa’s rich jazz heritage while shaping something entirely his own, his performances are a profound expression of history, identity, and pure creative fire.

Bongeziwe Mabandla

A modern-day poet with a voice that stirs the soul, Bongeziwe Mabandla fuses folk, Xhosa rhythms, and electronic elements into something truly transcendent. His music is delicate yet powerful, carrying an emotional depth that lingers long after the last chord. A live performance that promises both intimacy and intensity.

iPhupho L’ka Biko

More than a band, iPhupho L’ka Biko is a movement, one that channels jazz as a revolutionary force. Blending traditional African music with free-flowing improvisation, their performances are spiritual, thought-provoking, and charged with raw emotion. This is jazz as a call to action, as a deep ancestral echo, as an experience you’ll never forget.