COUNTDOWN TO THE 22ND CTIJF

The Ploemies are a collective of young virtuosos rewriting the script on South African jazz fusion.

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.

Johannesburg-based Pan-Africanist collective iPhupho L’ka Biko is more than a band – it’s a movement.

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.