EIIGHANA! AFRICA.

The Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF), affectionately known as "Africa’s Grandest Gathering," made a triumphant return in April 2025, attracting approximately 24,000 music enthusiasts over three vibrant days.  
The festivities commenced on April 24 with a free concert at Greenmarket Square, featuring performances by The Ploemies, DJ Eazy, Hannah Ray, Andrea Fortuin, TKZee, British acid jazz pioneers Incognito, and singer Fancy Galada.  
The main event unfolded on April 25 and 26 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), showcasing a diverse lineup that blended jazz, fusion, soul, R&B, and world music. Notable performances included Black Coffee, Nduduzo Makhathini, Lira, Thandiswa Mazwai, Ari Lennox, the Igor Butman Quartet, and Bombay Lights.  
Festival head Shaakirah Adams emphasized the event's renewed vision: “Our goal was to honour the legacy of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival while boldly stepping into a new chapter that embraces diversity, youthfulness, and innovation.”  
The festival also had a significant economic impact, particularly through the free concert in the heart of the city, which revitalized Greenmarket Square both economically and spiritually.  
Attendees praised the festival's atmosphere and performances. One festivalgoer, Brathew van Schalkwyk, shared: “You get inspired going to things like this, and that's kind of been the whole thing with the CTIJF. It's just so much fun to be at this festival and be inspired by all the music.”  
With its successful return, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2025 reaffirmed its status as a premier music event on the African continent, celebrating the rich tapestry of global jazz and contemporary music.