The journey begins when the first line-up of artists is announced, normally a few months before the actual date of the festival. The line-up includes artists from all over the world, some you probably never heard of. That is when you really need YouTube and Google. You must dig deep into the artists' biographies and discographies. This is handy at the popular festival press conference to avoid asking embarrassing questions like wanting to know the lyrics inspiration of a strictly instrumental artist.
The festival is mostly patronised by a mature crowd and if you are young, you will be introduced to music that was created before you were born. Some artists come from non-English speaking countries and you have to listen to them too. The crop of artists that normally make it to the Cape Town Jazz festival are very talented, great performers and composers. Some are legends while some are new great kids on the block. You must listen to their music prior to the festival if you are not already a fan.
