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.
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.
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.
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.
@mhudi444 No one has ever been hotter @arilennox 😮💨 Cape Town Jazz Festival 2025 #capetown #capetownjazzfestival ♬ original sound - mhudi
Recent stories by:
Sindeka Mandoyi
Women in Jazz: The rise of Tanatswa Pepukai and the power of the Nala Collective
Women in Jazz: Giuliette Price is redefining the rhythm of a new generation
Setting Powder vs. Finishing Powder: What’s the difference?
Beyonce kicked off her Cowboy Carter tour in Los Angeles
South African famous couples who keep serving relationship goals
GLAMOUR Recommends
What to wear to the Cape Town International Jazz Festival
This is what you can expect at the 2025 Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Everything we know about the 2025 Cape Town International Jazz Festival so far
Muneeb Hermans in Quickfire Q&A: Jazz roots, festival feels, and what’s in his gig bag
Man Candy: A closer look at Bongeziwe Mabandla's outstanding discography
Africa’s grandest gathering returns with a spectacular line-up, world-first collaborations, a free concert, and more
5 South African jazz artists on the rise
Thembelihle Dunjana to play sophomore album God Bless iKapa. God Bless Mzantsi at Cape Town International Jazz Festival
