Stage set for Cape Town jazz festival

THALEFANG CHARLES
Correspondent | Thursday January 27, 2011 00:00

Just 59 days before the festival dubbed 'Africa's Grandest Gathering' organisers of Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF), espAfrika on Tuesday revealed the artist line-up of this year's festival. Rashid Lombard, festival director, announced that on this 12th year of the event, their wish of bringing in saxophonist Wayne Shorter has come true.

According to the media release from espAfrika, they have always wanted the 77-year-old saxophonist to appear in Cape Town. 'For years, it's been our wish to get Wayne Shorter to the festival. As a touring artist we could never get the time right. We are thrilled that this time round this living jazz legend could make.'

Another headline act alongside Shorter is the 1970s band Earth, Wind and Fire (EWF) and US saxophonist Dave Koz. EWF is another US band that brought the hits such as Shining Star, Mighty Mighty and Let's Groove. Dave Koz is making his return to the festival after appearing as a guest at the festival's 10th anniversary in 2009 where he shared the stage with guitarist Jonathan Butler.

Headliners from Africa are Senegalese legend singer Youssou N’dour and South African queen of Afro-soul, Simphiwe Dana. Also on the list are: Christian Scott (US), Dave Ledbetter and the Clearing (SA), Esperanza Spalding (US), Gang of Instrumentals (SA), Gazelle (SA), Hanjin (Singapore/Hong Kong), Hubert Laws (US), Ivan Mazuze (Mozambique/SA), Lisa Bauer (SA), Monique Bingham (US), Patricia Barber (US), Sandra Cordera (Angola), The Flames – Official Reunion (SA) and Wayne Shorter Quartet with Brian Blade, Danilo Perez & John Patitucci (US).

The festival will take place on March 25-26 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre and tickets prices ares R365 for a single day pass and a two-day weekend pass is R499.