Celebrated each year on 30th April since its establishment in 2011, International Jazz Day was launched by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to honour jazz legend Herbie Hancock and to spotlight jazz music’s role in fostering peace, dialogue, and cross-cultural understanding. The day serves as a reminder of jazz’s powerful influence as a unifying force, as well as its contributions to international diplomacy and the promotion of human dignity.

Linda Sikhakhane and his band at the ICJF 2025

In the lead-up to International Jazz Day, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival took place on 25th and 26th April at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). More than just a music event, the festival is a celebration of the rich and often misunderstood history of jazz, a genre deeply rooted in global narratives, from political and social movements to religious and cultural transformations.

Thandiswa Mazwai gave the crowd an exceptional performance

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This year’s line-up showcased an impressive array of local talent, featuring both rising stars and seasoned performers returning to the jazz stage. Audiences were treated to memorable performances, as South Africans came together to honour the enduring spirit of jazz and to celebrate life through music. The 2025 edition marked 22 years since the festival’s inception, reinforcing its place as a cornerstone of the country’s cultural calendar.

Lira returned to the Jazz stage with an emotional performance

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As we commemorate International Jazz Day, we take a moment to reflect and offer a visual glimpse into the highlights of this year’s festival, a celebration of sound, soul, and shared experience.

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Iphupho Lika Biko blazing the stage at CTIJF

Nduduzo Makhathini and Black Coffee embracing after their performance

@mhudi444 No one has ever been hotter @arilennox 😮‍💨 Cape Town Jazz Festival 2025 #capetown #capetownjazzfestival ♬ original sound - mhudi