PRESS RELEASE
An open celebration of music, community and connection – alongside a weekend of workshops shaping future talent
Franschhoek, South Africa, 25 March 2026 – After a packed weekend of music, across its two mains stages, the inaugural Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek will gently draw to a close, the energy will shift – not into silence, but into something slower, warmer and deeply rooted in place.
On Sunday, 29 March, the festival opens itself fully to the village with the Sunday Slowdown – an un-ticketed, open-access celebration of more music, culture and community unfolding along the Montreux Mile in Franschhoek.
From late morning, the streets will come alive with a series of live pop-up performances, vinyl sessions and choral moments, inviting both festivalgoers and locals to experience Montreux in a different rhythm – unhurried, accessible and joyfully shared.
A Village alive with music
This year’s Sunday Slowdown features a rich and diverse line-up of artists, reflecting the spirit of collaboration and discovery that defines this festival:
- Sima Mashazi & Nick Turner Collaboration
- The Rivertones
- Nomadic Orchestra
- Major Voices Choir
- Albert Frost
- Uncorked Academy Band
- Melorie Jane Quintet
- Sinothando Arts & Culture Choir
- Shen FM + Lee Thomson
Adding to the atmosphere, vinyl culture continues to make its mark with:
- DJ Fred Spider (a long-time Montreux favourite)
- DJ Protectionspel
Together, these performances will create a living soundtrack across the village, where audiences can wander, discover and connect – from spontaneous dance moments to intimate listening experiences.
More than a festival: A space to learn and share
Running alongside the main programme on Friday and Saturday, a series of workshops and conversations will take place at the Franschhoek Town Hall within the Jazz Village precinct, offering audiences and aspiring musicians, rare access to artists, ideas and creative exchange.
As part of the legacy of this living festival, organisers have also made it possible for young musicians to experience the main festival, further adding to their education.
Workshop Programme Highlights:
Friday
- 12:30 – Official festival poster signing by artist, Sam Nhlengethwa
- 13:30 – Mo T
- 14:45 – Robert Glasper in conversation with Bokani Dyer and DJ Kenzhero
Saturday
- 12:00 – Sam Nhlengethwa signs posters for collectors (only 50 signed copies in existence)
- 12:30 – Spotify – artists masterclass
- 13:30 – A couch conversation with Matt Hansen
- 15:00 – Celebrating 100 years, Gallo Music will amp up the sound and invite you into their world of music.
These sessions provide a unique opportunity to engage with artists, curators and industry voices, exploring everything from creative process and musical evolution to the broader cultural context of the festival.
A festival that extends beyond the stage
While the main stages pause on Sunday, the Jazz Village precinct remains open, with food, wine, markets, sidewalk cafés, and gathering spaces continuing to welcome visitors. Some of the valley’s notable vignerons will offer a Wine Down tasting experience (small surcharge applies).
For the discerning palate, these are some of the special wines to look forward to:
Anthonij Rupert, Boekenhoutskloof, Great Heart, Holden Manz, La Motte, Leeu Passant, Mel Wines, Rickety Bridge, Rupert & Rothschild, Terre Paisible and Wildeberg.
With Franschhoek’s legendary hospitality as its backdrop, the Sunday Slowdown becomes a moment of connection – where music settles into the streets, conversations linger, and the festival becomes part of the everyday life of Franschhoek.
It is also a reflection of Montreux’s deeper philosophy: that music is not only performed, but shared, lived and experienced together.
Open to All
The Sunday Slowdown is open to the public, inviting everyone – from dedicated festivalgoers to curious visitors – to be part of this closing chapter.
From global stages to village streets, Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek ends not with a finale, but with a collective exhale – a reminder of the power of music to bring people together.
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
Social Media:
Instagram: @mjffranschhoek
Facebook: Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek
X (Twitter): @mjffranschhoek
TikTok: @montreuxjazzfestivalsa
Website: www.mjfsa.com
Nomadic Orchestra
The Rivertones
Major Voices Choir
Melorie Jane
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
The festival is supported by several partners including Nedbank, SABC, Sunday Times, Heineken, Franschhoek Wine Valley, Mitsubishi, SA Tourism, Western Cape Government, Stellenbosch Municipality amongst many – please see here for more details.
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
Artists on the line-up:
- Robert Glasper with Special Guests Lalah Hathaway & Bilal
- Ezra Collective
- Matt Hansen
- Róisín Murphy
- Salif Keita
- Wet Wet Wet
- Thandiswa Mazwai
- Stacey Kent
- Mandisi Dyantyis
- DJ Kent
- Tigran Hamasyan
- Cassiem Latief and Leighton Moody
- Msaki presents ENTROPY: The Heart as an Echo Chamber ft Jesse Clegg
- DJ Zinhle
- The Kesivan amaBig Band Experience ft. Boohle, Moonchild Sanelly and BONJ
- Billy Monama’s Guitar Convergence Ft Moss Mogale and Vusi Mahlasela
- Rosey Gold
- Kesivan & The Lights featuring The Swiss African Horns with special guest BONJ
- Kyle Shepherd Trio
- DJ Kenzhero
- Home at Last: A tribute to Bheki Mseleku presented by Gareth Lockrane and Bokani Dyer
- ‘A Kind of Blue’ w/ Eddie Henderson, Javon Jackson, Donald Harrison, George Colligan, Buster Williams, Lenny White
- Ramon Alexander Trio ft Buddy Wells
- Lelowhatsgood
- Brother Kujenga
- Kwanti Leeh! (Herbie Tsoaeli, Andile Yenana, Ayanda Sikade, Sisonke Xonti)
- The Ploemies & Friends
- Madala Kunene x Sibusile Xaba
- Caleb Dlamini & Friends
- Trev The Japanese
- DJ Mighty
- Kay Faith
- Homie.Lover.Friend
- Sbu The Guy
- Charles Leonard
- Nelee
- CandyFlip
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