Inaugural " Free the Jazz" concert sets the tone for the Joy of Jazz Festival

For the first time ever, Free the Jazz, a free public concert, will be held for jazz lovers on 24 September 2026, Heritage Day, at the Sandton City Rooftop. This is part of the broader celebrations leading up to the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival, which takes place from 25 to 26 September at the Sandton Convention Centre.

The festival is a way for audiences to discover the next rising generation of independent artists alongside DJs, jazz musicians, neo-soul, jazz fusion and experimental sounds, all within a relaxed environment with great food.

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In previous months, Joy of Jazz launched a DJ search competition called #JazzReignited, and this year’s winner, Jazz Maestro Sbu, will perform at the Free the Jazz Festival. Fan favourites The Brother Moves On bring their experimental blend of jazz and afro-rock to the stage. Namibian house DJ and producer DJ Castro also joins the line-up. Young jazz vocalist, songwriter and composer Bokang Ramatlapeng, who celebrates African heritage, features alongside trumpeter Robin Fassie. DJs and radio personalities The Jazzaholics, with Nothemba Madumo and Nonn Botha, round up the line-up alongside the popular jazz group Kids Love Jazz.

The event is family-friendly, and there will be plenty of food stalls and bar facilities available in a relaxed environment in which to enjoy the culture of Heritage Day. The Joy of Jazz Festival is proudly one of Africa’s premier jazz festivals, combining international icons with the best in jazz heritage from home-grown soil. While the festival showcases established musicians, there is a growing need to platform up-and-coming jazz artists and showcase the next generation of talent. This concert will feature many of these artists on the line-up.

The concert is free and for the people, with the hope of creating accessible entry points for younger audiences and recognising the work of emerging jazz artists. It is a celebration of new voices, experimental sounds, youth culture and cultural influencers. The festival invites students, young professionals, creatives, industry professionals and all jazz lovers to attend this new initiative. The festival aims to provide ongoing opportunities for emerging jazz musicians and allow them exposure through curated programming, while bringing a young jazz audience into Johannesburg’s cultural ecosystem.

Other jazz platforms that are friends of the festival will also be present on the day, including Kids Love Jazz, Sankayi Jazz Series, Hugh’s Jazz Club, Jozi Gold, Untitled Basement, Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival and SAMPRA. Whether you are a lifelong jazz fan or simply looking for something exciting to do this Heritage Day, this is your opportunity to experience talented voices, celebrate local talent, and be part of one of Africa's most iconic jazz celebrations.