There’s something undeniably electric about this year’s Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Set for 27–28 March, the stages won’t just echo with world-class musicianship, they’ll pulse with a powerful, feminine energy that feels both rooted and revolutionary.
For decades, women in jazz have shaped the genre in ways both seen and unseen, composing, innovating, storytelling, and often redefining the boundaries of sound itself. From smoky, soul-baring vocals to boundary-pushing instrumentation, female artists have always carried jazz forward with a quiet (and sometimes thunderous) force. This year, CTIJF makes that force impossible to ignore.
Leading the charge is a dynamic lineup of women whose artistry spans continents, cultures, and sonic landscapes.
South Africa’s own Zoë Modiga returns with her signature blend of soul and storytelling, while Msaki brings her emotive depth and lyrical vulnerability to the stage. Rising voices like Lordkez and Giuliette Price signal a bold new era, one where genre is fluid and authenticity reigns.
There’s also the timeless brilliance of Tutu Puoane, whose return feels like a homecoming, and the genre-bending presence of global stars like Fatoumata Diawara and Raveena, each bringing their own textured interpretations of jazz, soul, and beyond.
Instrumental mastery will shine through artists like Sheila E. and Varijashree Venugopal, reminding audiences that feminine power in jazz isn’t just vocal, it’s deeply musical, technical, and transformative. Meanwhile, voices like Sio, Jasmine Myra, and Rorisang Sechele continue to stretch the sound of contemporary jazz into exciting new territories.
The lineup also celebrates a rich diversity of global expression, with artists like Vanessa Moreno and Thando Zide adding layers of rhythm, language, and cultural nuance to the festival’s sonic tapestry.
This isn’t just representation, it’s reclamation. A reminder that women in jazz have never been peripheral; they’ve always been central. What CTIJF 2026 offers is a stage expansive enough to hold that truth in full colour, full sound, and full power.
As the city comes alive for one of Africa’s most iconic festivals, one thing is certain: this year, the women aren’t just part of the story, they are the moment.
Grab your ticket here
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