Award-winning musician Judith Sephuma is promising a good show full of surprises at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival next month.
“It is going to be so good. I want the element of surprise for you guys. My show will be one of surprises,” the singer told the media this week.
The 45-year-old said it was an honour to share the stage with big names in the industry she has admired throughout her career and applauded the iconic festival for giving artists a platform to showcase their talent.
“It is something amazing to experience over and over again. For me, every time I get on the stage I go ‘wow’. I am like a little kid,” she said.
The 27-28 March festival at the Cape Town International Convention Centre will also feature Manou Gallo from Côte d’Ivoire, local jazz legend Abdullah Ibrahim, as well as Grammy award winners PJ Morgan from America and the United Kingdom’s Jacob Collier.
The line-up of over 40 artists also includes Lira, Lady Zamar, the Ndlovu Youth Choir, AusTebza, Gabi Motuba and Seba Kaapstad.
Saxophonist Don Vino said he was grateful for the platform at the prestigious event, adding it is not an opportunity which musicians got every day.
CHANCE: Judith with Don Vino, who says he is grateful for the platform
He recalled the first time he performed at the festival as an overwhelming experience: “I stood there and I got so emotional.”
Festival director Billy Domingo said the event-- and the run-up to the two-day event - offered mense a chance to see all their favourite local and international musicians on one stage.
STAGE: Billy Domingo. Picture: IAN LANDSBERG
He said the free concert at Greenmarket Square on 25 March allowed around 14 500 people from different backgrounds to come together and see world class artists perform.
Domingo urged African artists to come forward and take up their place on the stage.
“When [African artists] shine [their] lights bright on that stage, it is to say: I am an African, welcome to my world,” he said.
Tickets for the festival cost R999 for a weekend pass and R649 for a day pass, available at Computicket.