City Press' must sees at the Cape Town Jazz Fest

Johannesburg - The Cape Town International Jazz Festival is back with a refreshing and diverse line-up, as well as a special tribute to the late jazz legend Hugh Masekela.

The festival, in its 19th iteration this year, will once again take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on 23 and 24 March.

Here are five performances that jazz aficionados absolutely cannot afford to miss:

The Soil

24 March, 18:00

Basil “Manenberg” Coetzee stage

After concluding their tour in New Zealand and Australia, this trio’s a cappella fusion of jazz, hip-hop, Afro-pop and Afro-soul comes home. They produce powerfully rhythmic music, making for a much-anticipated performance. The Sunday hit makers will participate in the uMculo Wam masterclass workshop, which is free.

Masego

24 March, 19:30

Moses Molelekwa stage

Masego’s music is often described as trap House jazz, and his incredible skill of looping with his saxophone, beat machine and keyboard live made him a popular YouTube star. He recently released the song Queen Tings on the video sharing site. It is dedicated to South Africa ahead of his performance at the festival. Masego’s excitement and skills will make for an exhilarating show.

Corinne Bailey Rae

24 March, 20:45

Kippies stage

The award-winning British singer is back in South Africa following the release of two albums and an international tour. She brings together soul music, neo-soul and contemporary R&B. Bailey Rae will bring her latest tunes to the festival and hopefully include her hits Put Your Records On and Like a Star. Her soul-filled voice and honest performance style are not to be missed.

Claire Phillips

24 March, 21:30

Basil “Manenberg” Coetzee stage

The Cape Town native is not new to the festival and first took to the stage there in 2014. Her music encompasses jazz, funk, R&B, soul and folk. The multitalented musician and self-taught instrumentalist is back this year and working on her third studio album. Hopefully, she’ll give festival goers a sneak peek into her upcoming record.

Hugh Masekela tribute – A Celebration of Hugh Masekela’s Life and Music

24 March at 22:45

Kippies stage

(Photos: City Press)

South Africa’s Black Motion, Masego, and US band Tank and the Bangas come together to perform Hugh Masekela’s The Boy’s Doin’ It. This is set to be a memorable event, with brilliant musicality and artistry: Black Motion’s beats, Masego’s trumpet and the perfectly timed performance of Tank and the Bangas.

For the full line-up, go here.

Tickets R750 at Computicket.