The Cape Town International Jazz Festival’s Greenmarket Square FREE Concert is back with Matt Bianco. Judith Sephuma, Kujenga, Micaela Kleinsmith, Jerome Rex, DJ Eazy and Sophia
Cape Town, 18 April 2024 – With the countdown to the return of Africa’s Grandest Gathering already ticking away, the City of Cape Town’s innate rhythm is all set to sync with the beats and measures of jazz and its many guises, as the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) announces it will once again stage its FREE concert, which will be held at Greenmarket Square, on Thursday, May 2, 2024, starting at 16H00 to 22H00.
An exceptional line-up will take centre stage, promising an evening of unparalleled entertainment and auditory bliss for the people of Cape Town and tourists alike. From the infectious beats of DJ Eazy and Sophia, who at 11 years old is showing the promise of the city, to the mesmerising melodies of Jerome Rex, every note will resonate with the vibrant spirit of the Mother City, which is the main festival’s official host partner.
Joining these artists for this free concert for all the people, are the incomparable talents of Micaela Kleinsmith, whose vocals will enchant listeners, and the dynamic fusion of Kujenga, delivering a sonic experience that transcends boundaries and genres.
The excitement reaches its crescendo, however, with the electrifying performances of two music legends. Renowned songstress and the Queen of Afro-jazz, Judith Sephuma, who will grace the stage with her unparalleled vocal prowess, while the iconic 80s group, Matt Bianco, will infuse the evening with their signature blend of jazz, Latin, and pop to leave fans energised, happy and ready to take on the weekend.
“The Cape Town International Jazz Festival has become a jewel in our city’s events crown, showcasing the best of what Cape Town has to offer in terms of culture, hospitality, and our local talent as well as being the perfect backdrop for national and international artists” said Executive Mayor Gordon Hill-Lewis. “We are very happy that the CTIJF is back in town and thrilled to welcome music lovers from near and far to Greenmarket Square for what promises to be an unforgettable evening of celebration and camaraderie.”
Attracting scores of fans from across the city and the wider metropole, and with its vibrant ambiance and world-class performances, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival’s FREE concert epitomises the essence of unity and cultural diversity, embodying the spirit of Cape Town in every beat.
Concert goers are advised that this is an alcohol-free event and crowd control measures are in place so there will be random searches conducted.
Festival goers and road users should take note that certain roads will be closed in the lead up to the free concert as well as on concert night.
Ticket information for the CTIJF Main Event that takes place on 3 and 4 May 2024:
No under 10s and no pass outs allowed:
- Weekend Pass R1500 per person (hurry as these are now limited items)
- General admission festival ticket at R950 per night per person which gives access to Kippies and Manenberg stages.
- Surcharge tickets are in operation for Rosies and Moses Molelekwa stages at R30 per person per show.
- Please note this surcharge is to manage capacity in the venues, which can only seat 1500 per show. Festival goers are required to purchase a general festival ticket above to then purchase surcharged show tickets.
- General admission and surcharge tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster
- Please note, this is a cashless event.
- Editor Notes:
DJ Eazy
Tyrone Da Silva, known as DJEazy is a seasoned DJ and a respected veteran in South Africa’s entertainment industry. His passion for music started in 1993, when he began his journey as a DJ, quickly making a name for himself by playing at various clubs in South Africa and across the globe. While R&B and Hip Hop are Eazy’s forte, he is well-versed in various music genres, adding versatility to his impressive résumé. Not only does he DJ at international parties, but he has also worked with world-renowned artists. Eazy’s passion for the airwaves has led him to work for various radio stations, starting with UCT Radio where he hosted the G.H.E.T.T.O.P.I.M.P. Show from 2003 until 2008. In 2009, he joined Good Hope FM as a shadow presenter before working his way up to hosting his own show in 2013, and then moving on to the role as producer of The Ready D Show, which won the Best Radio Show at the 2020 South Africa, Hip Hop Awards. In 2021, he moved to daytime to produce The Good Vibez with DJ Ready D, which airs every weekday afternoon between 12 and 3pm. With his vast knowledge in the music industry, Eazy has proven himself to be a valuable addition to the Good Hope FM team.
DJ Sophia
DJ Sophia, born in 2013 in Cape Town. The 11-year-old’s passion for music started when she was just a couple of months old, always moving her body to any tune. Her real interest in DJing developed when she was just 4 years old, fiddling around on her dads DJ equipment. She came into the spotlight when she joined a DJ competition held in Retreat, for Primary and high school kids in December 2019, winning her age category. DJ Sophia has recently opened her own company called, DJ Sophia Music. This offers various entertainment services such as, DJs for any event from corporate events to birthday parties, security, and her own branded merchandise. DJ Sophia is currently the youngest female DJ in South Africa to hold a resident slot on mainstream radio on The Good Vibes Show with DJ Ready D, every second Friday on GoodHope FM, 96.2. 2023 has started off positively for the young DJ with many booking requests months in advance for her services. DJ Sophia is a determined, feisty, meticulous young lady, who is extremely hardworking, driven, and passionate, a role model for our youth.
Jerome Rex (SA)
Cape Town rapper, singer and songwriter Jerome Rex, fuses Motown sounds with neo-soul and classicist rap to create a sound that reflects the City’s cultural melting pot. His album ‘Al Jerome’ earned him a Ghoema award for Beste Afrikaanse Hip Hop Album van die Jaar. Several of his singles have charted on commercial and community radio around the city, with two of them peaking at number one on Good Hope FM’s Hip Hop Top 30. He has also had charting singles on several radio stations and received several accolades for his work.
Jerome also co-wrote, produced, and headlined his own theatre production called ‘Lyrics Still Matter’, which had a sold-out run at the Artscape and played to packed audiences at the iconic Cape Town Comedy Club and Woordfees arts festival. His most recent music production, ‘Homecoming’, also played to a sold-out audience and the recording was later screened on KykNet.
He has just finished a run on the telenovela ‘Arendsvlei,’ where he played a regular supporting role as the character Brille. Jerome is also curator of ‘Expression Session Kuila’, a community that provides space for artists to express themselves, network, and collaborate with one another.
Link to Jerome’s sound: https:/ /drive.google.com/drive/folders/1DXNXXZ-fj7UH0SCQX1iqpvcpUhfiXSHM?usp=sharing
Judith Sephuma (SA)
Judith Sephuma is an internationally acclaimed songstress and a multi-award-winning artist. Dubbed The Queen of Afro Jazz, she is a prolific and versatile singer with an angelic, soft, sultry, and melodic voice that has continued to dominate the airwaves for more than two decades.
Since the release of her triple platinum status debut album titled, A CRY A SMILE A DANCE in 2001, Judith has attracted interest and acclaim from jazz, Afro-soul, and gospel music lovers all over the world. By the time A CRY A SMILE A DANCE was released, Judith had already performed at several major jazz festivals both in South Africa and internationally.
2005 saw the release of Judith’s NEW BEGINNINGS album; and in 2008 the album CHANGE IS HERE was released. In 2012, Judith travelled to Addis Ababa to perform for Heads of States and in the same year was nominated as an ambassador of THE ONE CAMPAIGN. In 2014, Judith travelled to Addis Ababa and Washington DC, USA to perform for Heads of State.
She has worked with and shared the stage with international artists like Bebe Winans, Oletta Adams, Jonathan Butler, Al Jarreau, Randy Crawford, and Chaka Khan. Her collaboration with Michael Bolton singing the old classic ‘Over the Rainbow’ and another with Kenny G on her A CRY A SMILE A DANCE album qualifies Judith as one of the best international singers and performers that South Africa has produced.
Kujenga (SA)
Kujenga is a seven-piece Black improvised music outfit based in Cape Town. The band’s name comes from the Swahili language, with the word meaning “to build.” The title symbolises the group’s belief in their calling as creators: to build meaningful experiences and connections with every listener. Community and emancipatory politics are central pillars in Kujenga’s music, as the band sees art as a tool for collective struggles within their home country and the wider world. Kujenga follows on from the rich legacy of Black band music in South Africa, with the ensemble representing the present and future of this historic sound. The band started their journey in 2017 and have since performed at
several stages across South Africa, leading to them being recognised by many as part of the forerunners in modern SA Jazz. They released their debut album Nationality in 2019 and are set to release their sophomore album ‘In The Wake’ in 2024.
‘In The Wake’ is a project that was written and recorded in response to some of the most challenging years faced by the band. The album is an articulation of personal and systemic experiences which took place during the coronavirus pandemic. More crucially, the project sets its focus on assessing the kind of world which could place us in such predicaments. In The Wake is the band’s interrogation of critical questions concerning our situation; where do we find ourselves, what brought us here, and where do we hope to go?
Matt Bianco (UK)
Matt Bianco is a UK group formed in 1982 by Mark Reilly (vocals), Danny White (keyboards) and the late Kito Poncioni (bass), all originally members of the band Blue Rondo A La Turk. For their first album “Whose Side Are You On ?” they hired unknown polish vocalist Basia Trzetrzelewska. Her vocal arrangements gave the album a jazzy dimension that Reilly and White couldn’t anticipate and hits like “Get Out of Your Lazy Bed” and “Half a Minute” turned Matt Bianco into one of the biggest acts of the 1980s. The band’s name suggests that Matt Bianco is a personal name, but Matt Bianco is a fictitious character they invented from the spy, secret agent world that laid the concept for their music and imagery.
Basia and Danny White left the group after the first album to pursue a solo career. Mark Reilly now without a musical partner, found keyboard player and session musician Mark Fisher and recorded the next (self-titled) Matt Bianco album, which included the big hit “Yeah Yeah”. In 1988, Matt Bianco hired Gloria Estefan’s husband and producer, Emilio Estefan, and recorded the album “Indigo”, which included the singles “Don’t Blame It On That Girl” and “Good Times”. Another song “Wap Bam Boogie” became European dance single of the year. After another album with Warner Brothers – “Samba In Your Casa” (1991), saw Reilly and Fisher split from their record company, going freelance.
They created a loyal fan base in Japan and the rest of Asia with the albums “Another Time Another Place,” “Gran Via”, “World-Go-Round”, “A/ Collection”, “Rico” and “Echoes” with great success.
Basia and Danny White joined with Mark Reilly to reform the original Matt Bianco in 2003, after 20 years apart. In 2004, Matt Bianco released the album “Matt’s Mood” on Universal Records. The following year they embarked on a world tour. In 2009, Mark Reilly and Mark Fisher joined forces again and released the album “HiFi Bossanova” on the German label Edel, their first studio album together for 7 years, and in 2012, released the album entitled “Hideaway”. Looking to expand his creative outlook, Reilly then teamed up with the Dutch band New Cool Collective to make a collaboration album called “The Things You Love” (New Cool Collective – Mark Reilly/Matt Bianco).
After the loss of Mark Fisher, the band with a new group of musicians released an album in 2017 called “Gravity”. In 2020, this ever evolving, and perennially popular band reunited with New Cool Collective with a lockdown album called “High Anxiety”. In 2022, the double album, “The Essential Matt Bianco” re-imagined re-loved was released with 30 tracks of all the favourite tracks from the Matt Bianco catalogue, which is now making its way to Cape Town.
Micaela Kleinsmith (SA)
An acoustic singer/songwriter hailing from Cape Town, South Africa, Micaela ‘s music is all about love, authenticity, and empowerment. Recently, she was handpicked by Orville Peck, a renowned show scout, to feature on the Apple TV Plus original series, “My Kind of Country.”
With mentorship from seasoned scouts such as Orville Peck, Micky Guyton, and Jimmy Allen, Micaela emerged as the winner of the competition and earned a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to collaborate with Apple Music, Platoon Records, and Hello Sunshine Productions. Together, they released an EP titled “Butterfly,” which was added to Apple Music’s “Today’s Country” playlist.
Micaela has worked with industry legends such as Adam Blackstone, Omar Edwards, Clay Sears, Tommy Sims, Israel Houghton, Derrick Wright, and Dwayne Wright, and her future looks bright as she continues to chase her dreams.
As a gifted artist, Micaela has mesmerised audiences worldwide, performing at venues from The Nashville Palace to The Baxter Theatre. Her talent led her to the theatre week of South African Idols Season 12 in 2016, earning her a spot among the Top 10 Singers in Cape Town in the KFM Singer/Songwriter competition.
For CTIJF Free Concert, Micaela will be joined by: Curtis Voegt – Drums; Roche Europa – Bass; Ethan Adams – Guitar and Jody Petersen – Keys.
Listen to “Butterfly” here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hb-b2Z8hjXntzHW94lJJABVyQunlaHgc/view?usp=drive_link
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- (Moz24)
