Simphiwe Dana is among the artists who will grace the 2027 Cape Town International Jazz Festival stage.
Simphiwe Dana, the Mahotella Queens and international musicians Ballaké Sissoko and Mohini Dey are among the first artists announced for the 2027 Cape Town International Jazz Festival, which will bring South African and international performers to venues across the city in March.
The initial line-up also features Bongeziwe Mabandla, The Joy, Internet Athi, Vuyo Viwe, Thandeka Mfinyongo, Swedish-American vocalist Emma Nissen and musician Yarwood.
The 2027 edition will bring together artists working across jazz, mbaqanga, soul, folk, contemporary fusion and traditional African music, with further performers and programme details expected to be announced closer to the festival.
South African artists bring different musical traditions
Dana will perform with special guest Mabandla, bringing together two distinctive voices in contemporary South African music.
Dana first came to wider attention with her debut album, Zandisile, released in 2004. Her music draws on jazz, soul and African musical traditions, with songwriting that often explores identity, history and social issues.
Mabandla is a singer-songwriter known for blending folk and contemporary African sounds. He sings predominantly in isiXhosa and has released albums including Mangaliso, iimini and amaXesha.
Simphiwe Dana will perform at the festival alongside special guest Bongeziwe Mabandla.
The Mahotella Queens bring a significant part of South Africa’s musical history to the programme. Formed in Johannesburg in 1964, the group became known for its distinctive mbaqanga sound, close vocal harmonies and energetic performances.
Their inclusion places one of the country's best-known groups associated with the genre alongside artists exploring newer musical styles.
The legendary Mahotella Queens bring their celebrated mbaqanga sound to the festival.
Another group drawing on a longstanding South African vocal tradition is The Joy, a five-member a cappella group from Hammarsdale in KwaZulu-Natal.
Working within the isicathamiya tradition, the group builds its performances around layered vocal arrangements without conventional instrumental backing.
The Joy has attracted international attention, including recognition from American singer and actor Jennifer Hudson, who described them as her favourite band and invited them to appear on her Christmas album, The Gift of Love.
Their collaborations include The Blessed Madonna’s 2023 song Shades of Love and three songs on Doja Cat’s Scarlet 2 CLAUDE.
KwaZulu-Natal a cappella group The Joy will bring their isicathamiya sound to the festival.
Cape Town musicians and traditional Xhosa instruments feature
Cape Town-born musician Internet Athi, whose real name is Athenkosi Cetyana, is also on the programme.
The songwriter and bandleader combines jazz, folk and R&B, incorporating Xhosa storytelling into his music. His independently released debut album, Polymorphism, has reportedly accumulated millions of streams.
Classically trained flautist, composer and vocalist Vuyo Viwe brings together traditional song forms, orchestral folk, alternative vocal melodies and electronic textures.
Thandeka Mfinyongo brings a particular focus on Xhosa musical heritage. An ethnomusicologist, musician and lecturer in African Music and Ethnomusicology at North-West University, she works with traditional instruments including the uhadi and umrhubhe.
The uhadi is a musical bow with a gourd resonator, while the umrhubhe is a mouth bow. Both have a place in Xhosa musical traditions.
Cape Town singer-songwriter Internet Athi is among the South African artists announced for the festival.
International line-up spans jazz, kora and fusion
The international artists announced include Swedish-American vocalist Emma Nissen, whose performances combine jazz singing and scatting with contemporary pop influences.
Scatting is a vocal technique in which singers improvise using syllables rather than conventional lyrics.
Malian musician Ballaké Sissoko is recognised for his work with the kora, a 21-string West African instrument associated with the Mandé musical tradition.
Flautist, composer and vocalist Vuyo Viwe joins the 2027 festival line-up.
Sissoko has built an international career around the instrument while collaborating with musicians across different genres. His work with French cellist Vincent Ségal, including the album Chamber Music, introduced his playing to audiences beyond the West African music scene.
Indian bassist Mohini Dey is known for her work across jazz fusion, funk, progressive music and contemporary Indian music.
Described by Forbes India as the “Most Successful Musician UNDER30”, Dey began performing at 11 and has worked with international musicians including Steve Vai, A.R. Rahman and Willow Smith.
Musician and academic Thandeka Mfinyongo brings her work with traditional Xhosa instruments to the festival.
Her music draws on jazz fusion, funk and Indian rhythmic traditions, with the bass taking a leading role in her compositions.
Yarwood completes the first announcement. The multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and vocalist blends alternative soul, R&B and worldbeat influences.
A bassist by foundation, his sound is shaped by groove-driven arrangements. He gained attention with singles including Cure and Hold on Girl, followed by his debut EP, The Sound of a Journey, and the project Me, Myself & I.
Swedish-American vocalist Emma Nissen joins the international line-up for the 2027 Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
Cape Town becomes a month-long music stage
The artist announcement forms part of a wider change to the festival’s format. The 2027 edition begins on March 4 and will extend across the month, with performances and cultural events planned at venues throughout Cape Town.
Organisers have described the programme as “March: The Month of the Mother City”.
Malian kora player Ballaké Sissoko brings his distinctive sound to the 2027 festival.
The expanded format follows the festival’s announcement that it would move beyond its traditional main-weekend structure. Read more about the Cape Town International Jazz Festival’s month-long programme across the city.
The venues include St George’s Cathedral, Greenmarket Square, the Company’s Garden, Artscape Theatre Centre, the Homecoming Centre, Texas Nightclub, Youngblood-Africa Gallery and Guga S’thebe in Langa.
Indian bassist and composer Mohini Dey is among the international acts announced for 2027.
Two flagship weekends will anchor the programme. The Homecoming weekend takes place on March 12 and 13 at the Homecoming Centre and Texas Nightclub. The main festival weekend follows from March 19 to 21, with events at the Company’s Garden, Greenmarket Square and St George’s Cathedral.
The wider programme will include intimate performances, masterclasses, panel discussions, a conversation series, an art exhibition and a fashion show.
Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Yarwood joins the 2027 line-up with his blend of alternative soul and R&B.
Free community concerts are planned for Guga S’thebe on March 14 and Greenmarket Square on March 17. The programme is scheduled to conclude with a family day on March 21.
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival, known as Africa’s Grandest Gathering, has brought local and international musicians to the city since 2000.
The 2026 Cape Town International Jazz Festival line-up also brought together established South African performers and international acts.
The 2027 edition will continue that musical exchange through its first announced group of artists, with further performers and programme details expected closer to March.