Grammy winner Jacob Collier to headline 2026 Cape Town International Jazz Festival

Jacob Collier has been announced as one of the headliners for the 23rd Cape Town International Jazz Festival, set to take place on March 27 and 28, 2026, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The genre-defying British musician will perform on the festival’s Kippies Stage on March 27, marking a major moment for Africa’s largest jazz gathering.

Collier’s inclusion signals a bold, expansive vision for the upcoming edition of the festival. Known for his virtuosic command of multiple instruments, densely layered harmonies, and boundary-pushing live performances, Collier has built a global reputation as one of contemporary music’s most inventive minds. His appearance continues CTIJF’s tradition of positioning jazz as a living, evolving form one that comfortably absorbs pop, soul, classical, and other experimental sounds.

The first wave of announcements also highlights the festival’s growing engagement with Afro-house and electronic jazz-adjacent scenes. South African duo Jazzwrld & Thukuthela fresh off being ranked among Spotify Africa’s Top 5 South African artists of 2025 will bring their high-energy, spiritually charged sound to the lineup, reflecting the genre’s increasing global reach.

Jazz fusion veterans Yellowjackets are set to return to the festival for the first time since 2005. Formed in 1977, the group’s longevity and adaptability have made them one of the most enduring acts in modern jazz. Their placement on the Moses Stage underscores the festival’s reverence for legacy acts that continue to evolve rather than rely on nostalgia.

UK saxophonist and composer Jasmine Myra will make her South African debut on the Rosies Stage. A rising force in contemporary British jazz, Myra’s inclusion reinforces CTIJF’s ongoing commitment to platforming women in jazz and amplifying new global voices within the genre.

South African artists feature prominently throughout the announcement. Legendary artist Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse remains a cornerstone of the country’s musical heritage, while Jabulile Majola represents the next generation of boundary-pushing local talent. Vocalist and composer Rorisang Sechele continues to solidify her place within South African jazz through The Seed, a project that blends R&B warmth, neo-soul introspection, and gospel spirituality into a deeply personal sonic statement.

The rise of South African R&B is also reflected in the lineup through Manana, whose refusal to conform to industry pressures has positioned him as one of the genre’s most compelling voices. His work traces an artistic evolution rooted in authenticity rather than trend-chasing.

Rounding out the first-wave announcement is pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini. Makhathini’s presence reinforces the festival’s focus on spiritual jazz and expansive compositional forms, highlighting a generation of South African artists whose work resonates well beyond national borders.

Tickets for the 2026 Cape Town International Jazz Festival are now available via Ticketmaster. With its latest lineup announcement, the festival once again positions itself as a vital meeting point between global innovation and South African musical excellence.

IOL