Robert Glasper, Bilal, Ezra Collective, Eddie Henderson, Javon Jackson, Donald Harrison, George Colligan, Buster Williams and Lenny White, Thandiswa Mazwai, Róisín Murphy, Stacey Kent, Wet Wet Wet and more – global icons, African legends and rising stars converge in Franschhoek for the first African edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival
Franschhoek, South Africa, 19 February 2026 – Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek (MJFSA), presented by Nedbank (27 – 29 March 2026), has unveiled a powerful new wave of artist announcements, confirming an exceptional programme across its two core performance hubs – The Arches Main Stage (at the monument) and the intimate Jazz Village housed in Franschhoek’s historic church.
Blending global heavyweights, pioneering African voices, genre-defying innovators and rising talent, the newly announced line-up reinforces MJFSA’s positioning as a boutique, hospitality-led festival rooted in deep listening, cultural exchange and world-class artistry.
Mark Goedvolk, Founder of MJFSA: “Bringing the Montreux Jazz Festival to Africa has never been about replication – it has been about re-imagining what this legendary platform can become when rooted in African creativity, excellence and storytelling. Franschhoek also provides the perfect canvas to share something that is intimate, meaningful and globally resonant.
“It is against this backdrop that this exceptional programme will be delivered, and I am grateful to our team, our partners and to all who have walked this path with us, and who continue to inspire what we are building.”
THE ARCHES MAIN STAGE – FRIDAY
Already announced is The Kesivan amaBig Band Experience, led by South African drummer and composer Kesivan Naidoo. Joining this opening night are:
· Brother Kujenga (SA) – a powerful collaboration between The Brother Moves On and Kujenga, fusing Afro-futurism, soul, spoken word and experimental rock into a politically and spiritually charged live experience.
· Wet Wet Wet (UK) – iconic Scottish pop band behind global hits such as Love Is All Around, delivering timeless, melody-driven pop anthems.
· Róisín Murphy (Ireland) – acclaimed Irish electronic and art-pop innovator known for her bold stagecraft, avant-garde style and genre-defying sound.
THE ARCHES MAIN STAGE – SATURDAY
Saturday opens with The Ploemies and Friends (SA), a joyous, groove-led collective rooted in Cape jazz traditions, community spirit and improvisation, before continuing with already announced:
· Billy Monama’s Guitar Convergence, Mandisi Dyantyis and Salif Keita and welcoming:
· Thandiswa Mazwai (SA) – cultural icon and genre-crossing artist whose work fuses Afro-soul, Xhosa tradition, funk and electronic textures.
· Ezra Collective (UK) – Mercury Prize-winning UK jazz phenomenon known for explosive live energy and Afro-diasporic groove, and,
· Robert Glasper with special guest, Bilal (US) – two architects of modern jazz and neo-soul in a landmark collaboration, closing the night in spectacular fashion.
JAZZ VILLAGE – FRIDAY
Friday at the Jazz Village features:
· Madala Kunene & Sibusisle Xaba (SA)
· Kesivan & The Lights ft Swiss Africa Horns & special guest BONJ – presenting a distinctly different repertoire to the big band, revealing Kesivan Naidoo’s depth and versatility as a composer and bandleader (SA/Europe)
· Stacey Kent (US) – Grammy-nominated vocalist celebrated for her elegant phrasing and timeless interpretations of jazz and chanson.
· Ramon Alexander Trio featuring Buddy Wells (SA) – Stellenbosch-based pianist and composer whose work bridges classic jazz vocabulary and modern expression, joined by acclaimed saxophonist Buddy Wells, known for his warm tone, melodic sensibility and deep roots in South African jazz.
“Every artist on this programme has been chosen for their ability to move audiences – emotionally, spiritually and musically,” says music and programming curator, Lindsay Rhoda. “We wanted to honour jazz’s legacy while also showcasing where the music is going, particularly through African voices shaping the future. From deeply intimate Jazz Village performances to powerful moments on The Arches stage, this line-up offers discovery, celebration and connection.”
JAZZ VILLAGE – SATURDAY
Saturday continues with:
· Kwanti Leeh!
· Home at Last: A Tribute to Bheki Mseleku, presented by Gareth Lockrane and Bokani Dyer (SA) – a moving homage to the late South African jazz visionary.
· “A Kind of Blue” (US) – a Miles Davis centenary celebration featuring Eddie Henderson, Javon Jackson, Donald Harrison, George Colligan, Buster Williams and Lenny White, honouring the legacy of Miles Davis and one of the most influential albums in jazz history.
· Msaki presents ENTROPY: The Heart as an Echo Chamber ft Jesse Clegg (SA) – an intimate, soul-stirring collaboration exploring love, vulnerability and renewal. and;
· The Kyle Shepherd Trio (SA) – Cape Town pianist Kyle Shepherd’s deeply lyrical trio (Benjamin Jephta, Jono Sweetman join him for this performance), exploring modern jazz, minimalism and African resonance.
On 29 March, the three-day festival concludes with a Sunday Slowdown, taking place along the Montreux Mile – Huguenot Street. While The Arches and Jazz Village Church stages will not be active, the festival spirit continues with a series of un-ticketed music performances across the town. The Jazz Village precinct will remain a vibrant hub, featuring public bars, food vendors, and a ‘wine down’ supported by some of the Valley’s most notable vignerons (small surcharge). This is a day to truly experience all that Franschhoek is celebrated for.
Buli Ndlovu, Executive Head of Personal and Private Banking Marketing, Nedbank, remarked that: “Nedbank is proud to be part of this inaugural Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek and to support a platform that places African artistry at the centre of a global cultural conversation.
“Music has the power to unite, inspire and uplift, and this festival reflects our commitment to investing in initiatives that create shared value for artists, audiences and communities.”
Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek represents the first African edition of the legendary Swiss festival and is designed as an intimate, premium experience with limited capacity.
Further programme announcements to follow. Jazz Village tickets will go live on Ticketmaster from 11H00 on 19th February 2026.
For premium hospitality information, please reach out to: hospitality@mjfsa.com
For tickets, please see: Ticketmaster.co.za
Please see website: http://www.mjfsa.com/ for further information and to register for media accreditation. Accreditation applications will close on
For media enquiries – hi-res images, expanded biographies, interviews etc:
Kaz Henderson | Networx PR | kaz@networxpr.co.za | +27 (0)82 339 1199
Jeni Fletcher | Networx PR | jeni@networxpr.co.za
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Editor Notes:
About Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek (MJFSA)
The Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek (MJFSA) is a jazz-inspired, lifestyle experience that brings the iconic Montreux spirit to Africa for the first time. Taking place 27–29 March 2026 in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley – one of the world’s most celebrated food, wine, and art destinations – MJFF will see global artistry meet African soul in a celebration of connection, creativity, and excellence across music, art, and culture.
As part of Montreux’s global family, MJFSA is defined not by scale but by curation: exceptional performances, immersive experiences, and the unmistakable magic of Franschhoek. www.mjfsa.com
About the Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland)
Held each summer on the shores of Lake Geneva, the Montreux Jazz Festival was founded in 1967 by Claude Nobs and has been directed by Mathieu Jaton since 2013. It attracts around 250,000 visitors each year and has hosted legends including Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Prince, David Bowie, and Elton John.
Organised by the Fondation du Festival de Jazz de Montreux, the festival is renowned for its creative collaborations, legendary performances, and global spirit of artistic exchange. www.montreuxjazzfestival.com
About Nedbank Group
Nedbank Group is a bank holding company listed on the JSE Limited, with a market capitalisation of R118bn as at 30 June 2025. Nedbank is one of Africa’s largest banking groups, with operations in South Africa, Namibia, Eswatini, Mozambique, Lesotho and Zimbabwe, and offshore in the Isle of Man and Jersey. It also has representative offices in other Africa countries, including Kenya, and has key global financial centres to provide international banking services for SA-based multinational and high-net-worth clients in London and Dubai. The group is a diversified financial services provider, offering a wide range of wholesale and retail banking and financial services. Nedbank has maintained its level 1 BBBEE status for the past 7 years and rates in the top quartile of local and international banks on ESG scores. group.nedbank.co.za
Artist Bios – February 2026
(Alphabetical order)
“A Kind of Blue Band’ – with Eddie Henderson, Javon Jackson, Donald Harrison, George Colligan, Buster Williams, Lenny White (US)
‘The 2026 Montreux Jazz Festival Miami opened with a landmark Miles Davis Centennial Night at the Miami Beach Bandshell this year, and not to be outdone, Montreux Franschhoek will share in the joy of celebrating the music of one of the most influential figures in music history.
The A Kind of Blue Band, featuring Eddie Henderson, Javon Jackson, Donald Harrison, George Colligan, Buster Williams and Lenny White, is an all-star collective that performs music from the iconic 1959 sextet session Kind of Blue, and the hard bop and exploratory music of Miles Davis in the 1950’s and 60’s.
Together they bring all the weight of the trumpeter’s modal jazz to the Cape Winelands.
Band lineup: Eddie Henderson (trumpet), Javon Jackson (tenor sax), Donald Harrison(alto sax), George Colligan(piano), Buster Williams(bass), Lenny White (drums).
Discography: Miles Davis: Kind of Blue (1959).
Brother Kujenga
The sublime collaboration of two of South Africa’s most popular Afro jazz bands – Kujenga and The Brother Moves On (TBMO) is a heaven-sent addition to the Montreux Franschhoek stage.
Johannesburg-based TBMO is known for their multi-disciplinary live shows dubbed as “tradition-trouncing trans-Atlantic Afro-centric futuristically ancient fusion”, in which core members take on various roles combining storytelling, theatre, drawing, video installation and other experimental media.
Kujenga’s playlist also hones in on continental sounds with Owethu Ndwandwe on vocals and keys in the frontline, twin brother Zwide Ndwandwe on bass, Thane Smith on guitar and Keno Carlese on drums. This Mother City band blends various genres from the African diaspora, with Black improvisational music as the core of the band’s sound.
Expect a fusion of Xhosa funk, rock, and jazz, with influences from traditional South African sounds and contemporary experimental music.
Discography:
Kujenga: Nationality (2019), In the Wake (2014), Common Ground (2025)
TBMO: A New Myth (2013), The Golden Wake (2015) $/He Who Feeds You… Owns You (2022)
Ezra Collective (UK)
Since their disruptive third studio album, Dance, No One’s Watching, in 2024, Ezra Collective have continued to break down barriers for UK jazz. They are the first local jazz band to win a BRIT Award (Group of the Year), having been nominated for four awards; they have a Top 10 album in the UK; have been playlisted on BBC Radio 1 & 1Xtra; have performed on Live Lounge; and have been nominated for the BBC Sound Of poll.
Written during a blistering 2023, which saw Ezra Collective tour the world, No One’s Watching continues to be an ode to the sacred, joyous act of dancing.
The London-based quintet is composed of drummer and bandleader Femi Koleoso, bassist TJ Koleoso, keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones, trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi, and tenor saxophonist James Mollison. Together they fuse elements of Afrobeat, Calypso, reggae, hip hop, soul and jazz.
Discography: You Can’t Steal My Joy (2019), Where I’m Meant To Be (2022), Dance, No One’s Watching (2024)
Home at Last: A Tribute to Bheki Mseleku, presented by Gareth Lockrane and Bokani Dyer
Bokani Dyer and Gareth Lockrane present a heartfelt tribute to the late Bheki Mseleku – a giant in the legacy of South African music. As a key member of Mseleku’s group in the UK before the jazzman’s passing in 2008, virtuoso flautist Lockrane doubled as band co-ordinator tasked with notating the compositions they would perform. At the time of his death, Lockrane had built up a sizable collection of unrecorded works, and now for the first time these songs will be performed in the country of Mseleku’s birth.
The tribute will feature a group of incredible South African musicians who have been handpicked to bring this music to life. Multi-award-winning pianist and composer Dyer has long studied Mseleku’s previously recorded compositions, and Home at Last marks a new chapter in the airing of Bhekumuzi Hyacinth Mseleku’s sonic journeys.
Discography:
Bokani Dyer: Radio Sechaba (2023), Kelenosi (2020), Neo Native (2018), World Music (2015), Emancipate the Story (2011)
Gareth Lockrane: Fistfight at the Barndance (2017), The Strut (2012), No Messin’ (2008), Put the Cat Out (2003)
Kesivan & The Lights ft Swiss Africa Horns with special guest – BONJ (SA/Switzerland)
From Cape Town to Carnegie Hall, drummer Kesivan Naidoo has played with the legends; led groundbreaking bands; and composed award-winning scores. Based in Switzerland and performing worldwide, he’s adored for his dynamic stickwork that pushes boundaries in modern jazz.
For Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek’s Jazz Village stage, Kesivan & The Lights present a distinct repertoire from the amaBig Band Experience – this is a tighter, more agile set built around the band’s signature sound. Here forward-looking jazz is propelled by African rhythms translated using a modern harmonic language – it’s a live energy that shifts effortlessly from introspective to explosive.
The Lights will be joined by The Swiss Africa Horns – Charlotte Lang, Lukas Wyss and Lukas Thöeni, who add bright brass and woodwind colour alongside vocalists: BONJ, whose soulful presence adds warmth and melody.
Band lineup: Kesivan Naidoo (Drums), Bokani Dyer (Piano / Keys), Darren English (Trumpet), Charley Rose (Saxophone), Joan Codina (Bass), Fabio Gouvea (Guitar), Charlotte Lang (Saxophone – Swiss Africa Horns), Lukas Wyss (Trombone – Swiss Africa Horns), Lukas Thöeni (Trumpet – Swiss Africa Horns), BONJ (Guest vocalist).
Discography: Instigators of the Revolution (2010), Brotherhood (2014)
Ramon Alexander Trio ft Buddy Wells (SA)
Ramon Alexander is a pivotal figure in Cape jazz. His journey is defined by a profound respect for the legends who paved the way, including Robbie Jansen, Merton Barrow, Basil Coetzee, and Ibrahim Khalil Shihab, from whom he has symbolically received the baton.
Featured on Mountain Records’ iconic Cape Jazz Piano album alongside some of South Africa’s most esteemed performers, Alexander honours this legacy as a renowned pianist, composer, and music educator in his own ensemble.
As an architect of contemporary Cape jazz, he fuses the ghoema rhythms of the Western Cape with global improvisation. Notable albums to his credit are Picnic at Kontiki (2011) and Echoes from Louwskloof (2015).
Fronting the Ramon Alexander Trio will be saxman Buddy Wells, widely regarded as a “standard bearer” for modern South African saxophone playing. Wells is armed with unmatched improvisational skills and seamlessly blows his way through any score he plays.
Discography: Taxi 1022 (2010), Picnic at Kontiki (2011), Echoes from Louwskloof (2015), Essence of Spring (2019), Sounds of Cape Town – Riel, Ghoema & Cape Jazz (2022).
Robert Glasper with special guest, Bilal (US)
One of the most iconic documented collaborations between Robert Glasper and Bilal is an NPR Tiny Desk Concert, which showcases the intimacy and expression that defines their shared musical language. Their joint work is often described as “warm, accessible, and polite” – serving as a soundtrack to a literal dinner party.
Bandleader Robert Glasper’s piano music is a study in convergences – he has a strong foothold in modern jazz, whilst orbiting contemporary gospel, alternative hip-hop and R&B – the category under which he won his first two Grammy awards.
Philadelphia-born Bilal Oliver is a schooled musician and energetic live performer whose artistry draws from jazz, soul, and hip-hop. Together this supergroup represents a true united meeting of minds.
Discography:
Robert Glasper: Black Radio (2012), Code Derivation (2025), Keys To The City Volume One (2025)
Kamasi Washington: Young Jazz Giants (2004), The Epic (2015), Fearless Movement (2024).
Bilal: 1st Born Second (2001), In Another Life ( 2015), Adjust Brightness (2025).
Róisín Murphy (Ireland)
Over the last three decades, Róisín Murphy has established herself as one of electronic pop’s most ingenious and forward-thinking voices, with a fearless sense of exploration and artistic spirit that’s proved both influential and singular.
The Irish singer, songwriter and record producer first became known in the 1990s as one half of the pop duo Moloko alongside English musician Mark Brydon. After four albums and a career that included the indelible hit Sing It Back, Moloko split following the release of 2003’s Statues. Murphy moved to London and kickstarted a new era of creativity, teaming up with producer Matthew Herbert for the beguiling Ruby Blue in 2005.
Numerous quirky albums later, Róisín has been described as “a purveyor of adventurous, omnivorous pop that blends influences as far-flung as disco and hot jazz” [AllMusic], while Out In Perth has called her “Ireland’s queen of the avant-garde”.
Discography: Ruby Blue (2005), Overpowered, (2007), Hairless Toys (2015), Take Her Up to Monto (2016), Róisín Machine (2020), Hit Parade (2023)
Stacey Kent (US)
Stacey Kent is an American jazz singer following in the footsteps of the greats. She has a legion of fans, and a host of honours and awards, including a Grammy nomination and most recently, the Prix Ella Fitzgerald from Montreal Jazz Festival. She has album sales of more than 2 million; more than half a billion streams; and Platinum, Double-Gold and Gold-selling albums that have reached a chart-topping positions.
Her worldwide fan base is testimony to her ability to cut to the emotional heart of her songs with delicately nuanced interpretations that transcend borders and defy categorization.
Her unique multilingual repertoire includes originals written by Jim Tomlinson, her saxophonist / producer/ composer/ arranger husband, in collaboration with the Nobel Prize-winning author, Kazuo Ishiguro, with whom they have worked since 2006. Her latest album, A Time For Love, reprises her trio collaboration with Tomlinson and pianist Art Hirahara.
Discography: Close Your Eyes (1997), Love Is…The Tender Trap (1998), Dreamsville (2000), Breakfast on the Morning Tram (2007), The Changing Lights (2013), Tenderly (2015), Songs from Other Places (2021), Summer Me, Winter Me (2023), A Time for Love (2025).
Thandiswa Mazwai (SA)
Nothing short of mesmerising, Thandiswa is one of the most influential post-Apartheid singers in South Africa. She began her career in 1996 with Jack Knife and pioneering kwaito act Bongo Maffin.
After 6 award-winning albums with Bongo Maffin, she ventured into a solo career which saw her first project, Zabalaza, reach double platinum status, winning a Kora award for Best African Female and four South African Music Awards. Her critically acclaimed sophomoric release Ibokwe and third album, Belede, reached gold status within a few weeks of release.
Sankofa, her fourth album, combines archival Xhosa samples, jazz and West African music. It includes songs produced by Meshell Ndegeocello, Chris Bruce and Nduduzo Makhathini.
Known for her electrifying performances, the iconic singer has appeared all over the world and continues to be one of Africa’s most dynamic artists.
Discography: Zabalaza (2004), Ibokwe (2009), Dance of the Forgotten Free (2010), Belede (2016), Sankofa (2024).
The Ploemies and Friends (SA)
Each member of The Ploemies brings a distinct musical voice to the ensemble, creating a dynamic sound that honours the roots of South African jazz whilst pushing its boundaries. A fusion of jazz, rock, and alternative sounds peppered by the joys of improvisation, each band performance is unpredictable and high-octane.
The four-piece houses Bradley Prince (guitar), Duncan Johnson (saxophone), Shaun Johannes (bass), and Keno Carelse (drums). Led by composer and bandleader Johannes, The Ploemies have emerged as a standout act on the Western Cape’s live circuit, delivering performances that blur the line between tradition and experimentation.
Their debut album, Unfinished Business, was released in April 2025, and spotlights eight instrumental tracks which blend Cape Jazz, ghoema, funk, reggae, and Latin influences.
Band lineup: Bradley Prince (guitar), Duncan Johnson (saxophone), Shaun Johannes (bass), and Keno Carelse (drums).
Discography: Unfinished Business (2025)
Msaki presents ENTROPY: The Heart as an Echo Chamber ft Jesse Clegg (SA)
Asanda Lusaseni Mvana, fondly known as Msaki, is a much-loved composer, singer, and songwriter. Trained in fine art, graphic design, film photography, and curation, she embodies the rare fusion of musical and visual storytelling.
She contributed to Black Coffee’s Grammy Award–winning Subconsciously album and her Fetch Your Life collaboration with Prince Kaybee became one of South Africa’s most iconic anthems – topping national charts. Her debut EP Nalithemba (2013) and full-length album Zaneliza: How the Water Moves (2016) also established her as a formidable songwriter.
Msaki was honoured as the Standard Bank Young Artist for Music (2022) and featured in the South African Pavilion at the Venice Biennale (2024). Often described as a “song catcher,” she creates atmospheric soundscapes that bridge traditional African rhythms with contemporary global sounds.
For her presentation at Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek, Msaki unveils ENTROPY: The Heart as an Echo Chamber, a deeply intimate and emotionally layered work exploring love, vulnerability, healing and transformation. She is joined by Jesse Clegg, whose melodic sensibility, expressive vocal presence and songwriting depth add a powerful complementary voice to the performance, creating a moving dialogue between two of South Africa’s most compelling contemporary artists.
Discography: Nalithemba (2013), Zaneliza: How the Water Moves (2016), Platinumb Heart (2021), Entropy (2026).
The Kyle Shepherd Trio (SA)
Kyle Shepherd has emerged as one of the most distinctive and influential jazz musicians of his generation. His performances are marked by a strong sense of narrative and spiritual intention, often blurring the line between composition and improvisation while remaining grounded in groove and form.
The pianist released his debut album, titled fineArt, in 2009, quickly establishing himself as a major new voice on the local jazz scene. This was followed by A Portrait of Home and South African History! X, recordings that further explored themes of identity, place, and memory. His trio work, particularly on albums such as Dream State and A Dance More Sweetly Played, has earned acclaim for its maturity, clarity, and expressive power.
Shepherd is also the Artistic Director of Journey to Jazz and has become a respected composer and creator in film, television, and theatre.
Band Line-up: Kyle Shepherd (piano), Benjamin Jephta (bass), Jono Sweetman (drums)
Discography: fineART (2009), A Portrait of Home (2011 ), South African History! X (2012), Dream State (2014), A Dance More Sweetly Played (2024).
Wet Wet Wet (UK)
Wet Wet Wet are undoubtedly a musical phenomenon, having made an immense impact with their music over the last four decades and becoming one of the most successful bands in British pop history.
Selling more than 15 million singles and albums, the band has featured in the official UK singles and album charts for over a colossal 500 weeks, and their albums have been certified 20 x platinum in the UK alone. Their 27 Top 40 hit singles include 3 number 1’s, with Love Is All Around spending 15 weeks at the top, a record for any UK artist that still stands.
Alongside vocalist Kevin Simm, the ever-present Graeme Clark (bass) and Graeme Duffin (guitar) front the seven-piece band on the road where Wet Wet Wet continue to wow audiences in venues throughout the world.
Discography: Popped In Souled Out (1987), The Memphis Sessions (1988), Picture This (1995), Timeless (2007), The Journey (2021), Strings Attached (2025).
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