Jill Scott to Headline at the Cape Town Jazz Festival

Jazz singer Jill Scott poses for a publicity photo. The singer was recently featured on the cover of Jet Magazine published in Chicago., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Jill Scott to headline at the Cape Town jazz festival

Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter-poet Jill Scott has been confirmed to perform at this year's Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

29 Jan 2013 18:22 - Lisa Van Wyk
South African Mail & Guardian

Organisers of the jazz festival announced the full line-up on Tuesday afternoon.

Ben Sharpa and Senegalese artist Cheikh Lô will also be among the performers making appearances at this year's event. They will be joining the other thirteen performers announced late last year. The event takes place at a number of venues in Cape Town on April 5 and 6.

Jill Scott was announced as last year's headline act, but was forced to withdraw from the festival due to other commitments.

The annual event is the highlight of South Africa's jazz calendar, featuring both local and international jazz legends, as well as being a prestigious training ground for young jazz talent. While billed as a jazz festival, it has regularly featured hip-hop and soul artists, such as Pharoahe Monch and Lauryn Hill, who appeared at last year's festival.

South African musician Victor Ntoni, who passed away suddenly on Monday, had been due to perform. A minute's silence was held in his honor at the line-up announcement.

The line-up

The line-up will also include festival regular Jimmy Dludlu, the UK's acid jazz act the Brand New Heavies, US jazz artists Jack DeJohnette, Ravi Coltrane and Matt Garrison (who will collaborate as the Jack DeJohnette Trio), and Robert Glasper.

Festival director Rashid Lombard emphasised that the diverse line-up will appeal to a broad audience.

"We are delighted with this line-up. Once again we have been able to secure world-class international acts as well as the cream of our local talent. There is something for everyone from lovers of traditional jazz to younger audiences looking to hear more mainstream, popular music. Festival goers will not be disappointed".

Running alongside the main festival are a number of fringe events and community outreach projects which aim to introduce jazz to new audiences and foster new talent.

Paul Mashatile, minister of arts and culture commented on the relevance of the festival.

"The Cape Town International Jazz Festival does not only expose audiences to a wide array of the best international and local music, the event also contributes to providing a larger skills base in the creative sector which helps in sustaining the creative industries in South Africa."

For the full line-up and booking details, go to the official website: www.capetownjazzfest.com.