The much-anticipated Journey to Jazz 2025 festival line-up was revealed just before the festive season break, and in case you missed it, it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable celebration of music and culture.
To discover who will be on the line-up, please see release below.
For those who have supported this incredible festival from inception – our heartfelt gratitude. To all, we hope we can continue to count on you to give Journey to Jazz the attention it genuinely deserves.
Happy 2025 to one and all
Kaz and Jeni
True Jazz, True Karoo
Paolo Damiani Trio, Hilton Schilder, Carlo Mombelli and the Prisoners of Strange Edition 2, Siya Makuzeni and Kujenga part of line-up to thrill jazz enthusiasts and travel adventurers at 3rd Journey to Jazz festival in Prince Albert in May 2025
The Journey to Jazz Festival returns for its third edition intent on sparking curiosity about origins, culture and society, when it takes place in the town of Prince Albert from 1 – 4 May 2025. This week, and just in time for festive season present musts, some of the incredible artists who will immerse visitors in a world of sonic explorations, and storytelling, were revealed.
More good news, festival organisers also released a number of Early Bird tickets – via Quicket – which will be on sale from 18th December 2024 for a limited time before reverting to 2025 prices.
Prince Albert, in the heart of the Great Karoo, is making a name for itself as a cultural destination par excellence, as is the Journey to Jazz (J2J) festival itself. J2J is an open invitation to take a journey of discovery using the parlance of jazz music, a genre with universal appeal and respect for indigenous cultures, set against the backdrop of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a surrounding dynamic ecological environment, multiple venues, and the embrace of a diverse community.
In 2025, J2J will transport visitors through time with a considered line up of South African and international musicians curated by creative director Brenda Sisane and artistic director, Kyle Shepherd. The first artists to be announced include:
· Hilton Schilder: The Cape Jazz pioneer whose mastery of 16+ instruments is as legendary as his storytelling.
· Ernie Smith: Multi-award-winning artist known for his soulful fusion of jazz, African rhythms, and R&B.
· Carlo Mombelli & The Prisoners of Strange – Edition 2: Avant-garde bass-driven compositions exploring the fine line between sanity and brilliance.
· Siya Makuzeni: A trailblazing trombonist and vocalist whose genre-bending performances redefine musical boundaries.
· Paolo Damiani Last Land Band: The Italian trio of Damiani (bassist), Antonio Jasevoli (guitarist) and Elena Paparusso (vocalist), take audiences on a sonic journey exploring humanity and Earth’s infinite possibilities.
· Kujenga: A Cape Town-based collective that celebrates Black culture through spontaneous and vibrant improvisation.
· Outeniqua High School Jazz Band: Young South African talent blending traditional jazz with local influences.
A Karoo reception
True Karoo hospitality is reflected in the fun-filled and varied ‘Groet is n Moet’ (greeting is a must) activity programme the J2J festival puts on each year, and the warmth of the townsfolk who open their doors to visitors from near and far. From artist-led Masterclasses, a night at the museum dinner, and ghost tours, to bike rides, guided walks in the surrounding Swartberg mountains, a neighbourhood goods market and this year, a series of world-class exhibitions, Journey to Jazz and Prince Albert has it all.
Tickets for the various experiences are sold separately, and more details will be on the J2J website.
A festival with purpose
There are many unique aspects to Journey to Jazz, one being the relaxed atmosphere in which the performances take place and the freedom for everyone to walk about the town, mingle and explore. However, at the heart of the festival, is perhaps its most important attribute – sustainable development.
Established by the Prince Albert Community Trust (PACT) in 2023, the festival empowers the local community through skills training, employment, and cultural exchange. Over 70 local youth, primarily from Noord Einde, are involved in co-producing the event, ensuring its positive social and economic impact.
Event details:
Name: Journey to Jazz
Date: 1 – 4 May 2025
Where: Venues throughout Prince Albert
Ticket prices: Limited Early Bird tickets are available at R250 per person per performance.
For more information: www.journeytojazz.co.za
For media enquiries and hi-res images, please contact Kaz@networxpr.co.za or jeni@networxpr.co.za
J2J 2025 – Artist Bios
Carlo Mombelli and the Prisoners of Strange: Edition 2
Carlo Mombelli is a self-taught musician celebrated for his avant-garde, bass-driven compositions that blend the expressive soul of the developing world with the technical profundity of classical music. Described as “disconcertingly beautiful” by The Jazz Times and “outrageously, almost scandalously beautiful” by Die Weltwoche, his music occupies the boundary between sanity and madness, where artistry and integrity shine.
Mombelli has performed and recorded at prestigious venues and festivals worldwide, including the Stockholm Jazz Festival, Berlin Philharmonie, Cape Town International Jazz Festival, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York with the Ethel String Quartet. His innovative approach redefines jazz and chamber music through experimental soundscapes and improvisation.
Currently, Mombelli leads The Prisoners of Strange – Edition 2, featuring Marcus Wyatt on horns, Maria Mombelli on voice and piano, Mark Fransman on woodwinds, and Justin Badenhorst on drums. This ensemble showcases his signature bass-led compositions interwoven with rich, emotive soundscapes.
Ernie Smith
Multi-award-winning artist, Ernie Smith, is a celebrated South African musician known for his soulful blend of jazz, African rhythms, and R&B melodies. At 13, he discovered his passion for the guitar, drawing inspiration from jazz legends like Pat Metheny, George Benson, and Wes Montgomery, as well as South African greats such as Jonathan Butler, Sandile Shange and Moses Molelekwa. These influences helped Ernie craft a unique musical style rooted in rich African traditions.
Ernie’s career took off in 2001 with the release of his debut album, Child of the Light, which earned him the SAMA awards for Best Newcomer and Best Adult Contemporary Album, along with the KORA Award for “Most Promising Male in Africa.” His subsequent album, Lovely Things, showcased his versatility and won accolades like the SAMA for Best Jazz Adult Contemporary Album in 2002 and the METRO Award for Best Jazz Artist in 2003.
A prolific artist and collaborator, Ernie worked with Grammy nominee Jonathan Butler and Grammy winner Kirk Whalum on the 2005 album My African Heart. His latest work, Everything Around Me, produced in his Durban home studio, features a captivating mix of jazz and African pop, embodying his signature “Love Song” magic.
Ernie Smith’s music transcends boundaries, connecting people from all walks of life through heartfelt and thought-provoking melodies. For Ernie, the greatest joy lies in seeing his music touch lives and inspire through the universal gift of song.
Hilton Schilder
Cape Town born composer, pianist/keyboards multi-instrumentalist, and raconteur Hilton Schilder, is always producing something new. His mastery with 16 indigenous and conventional instruments is renowned. Hilton has undoubtedly helped to mould the sound of what is now known as Cape Jazz. This globally recognised artist has featured on more than 40 Jazz, Rock, Punk, Goema, World Music and Classical albums.
Schilder was born into a musical family – his father was well-known pianist and bandleader, Tony Schilder. His love of music and curiosity was ignited at an early age, playing drums at 3 years old, with his craft subsequently being heavily influenced by his surroundings, which have led him to describe himself as being a “mind freedom fighter”.
Joining him at Journey to Jazz in 2025 are:
Violinist Shaheema Lakay, a Stellenbosch University graduate (2017), who honed her violin skills under Dr. Suzanne Martens and through masterclasses with Alexander Gilman, Madeline Adkins, and Nicolas Dautricourt. She has performed with prestigious ensembles like the African United Youth Orchestra, which debuted at Carnegie Hall in 2024, and participated in international festivals, including the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival. Shaheema has also toured Germany and South Africa with the Rhineland-Palatinate Youth Orchestra (LJO).
Clayton Norman Pretorius – a 22-year-old bass guitarist from Cape Town, who has already made waves in South Africa’s music scene. In addition to Hilton, he has performed alongside icons such as Tete Mbambisa, gaining mentorship from these luminaries. His resume includes the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Afrofest Cape Town, and a European tour with the Little Giants Band, marking him as a rising star in the jazz world.
Kurt Bowers – drummer, who began playing at 10, rooted in gospel music, before jazz captured his heart in high school. A UCT graduate in music education, Kurt has performed on prominent stages like the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Oslo Jazz Festival, and Beijing World Tutti Festival. He has played with ensembles such as the Little Giants, and the UCT Big Band. Recognised by the Standard Bank National Youth Bands in 2012 and 2014, Kurt continues to evolve as a dynamic force in the music world.
Kujenga
Kujenga is a Cape Town-based Black improvised music collective whose name, meaning “to build” in Swahili, reflects their mission to create meaningful experiences and connections with their audience. Renowned for their innovative approach, the group thrives on spontaneity and a deep-rooted celebration of Black culture and community.
Since releasing their debut album, Nationality, in 2019, and their sophomore project, In The Wake, in 2024, Kujenga has garnered widespread acclaim. The band has received accolades including Newcomer of the Year at the 2024 Mzansi Jazz Awards, a SAMA Award nomination for Best Jazz Album, and recognition on the Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans list.
Kujenga has headlined major events such as the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and Standard Bank Joy of Jazz. They have also introduced their unique sound to new audiences abroad, with their first international tour to the UK a huge success at the end of 2024. Consistently showcasing their ability to innovate and captivate, their music is described as a powerful exploration of existence in the aftermath of historical and contemporary challenges, and positions them as a dynamic force in the South African and global jazz landscapes.
Paolo Damiani Last Land Band (Italy)