Music lovers enjoyed the 26th annual Cape Town Jazzathon, which was held from Friday January 12 to Sunday January 14, with six daily performances at the V&A Waterfront.
The free public event included well-known artists as well as aspiring musicians who undergo a mentorship programme.
On stage were Jonathan Rubain, Kujenga, The Project Live Band, Germaine Leonard, Anastacia Geduld and Jodi Jantjies.
SAMA Nominee and Tafelsig’s Jodi said her first Jazzathon at the Waterfront was special.
“I’m very grateful for how well everyone received me and my music. It was a beautiful moment when everyone sang the music back to me and especially how my music, especially Goema koor, makes everyone so happy and so excited to be proudly Capetonian,” she said.
Artist Anastacia Geduld, formally from Beacon Valley and now from Delft, performed at the amphitheatre for the first time but made her debut at the Jazzathon at GrandWest last year.
“I thank God for using me and my gift on a platform such as Jazzathon to proclaim his name. I take no credit, I give it all back to God. My expectation was never to he seen on a fame level but all I wanted was for people to experience God’s love and grace through my gifting. I want people to be touched and souls to be reached through my ministry,” she said.
Festival director Craig Parks said the festival will take on another approach when they will be hosting Jazzathon Easter Camp from Friday March 29 to Monday April 1, and Cape Town Jazzathon African Celebration at GrandWest from Friday June 28 to Sunday June 30. This is to create space for emerging artists who will use the knowledge learned and eventually take to the stage, he said.
Audiences thoroughly enjoyed the Jazzathon over the weekend and Mr Parks thanked everyone for their continued support.
The music festival is run by the National Arts Council, the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport and the City of Cape Town.
