Caiphus Semenya To Headline Tshwane International Big Band Festival

Caiphus Semenya is set to headline Tshwane International Big Band Festival to take a place on the 8th and 9th of December alongside other big artists Madala Kunene, Herbie Tsoaeli, Simphiwe Dana, Nduduzo Makhathini, Feya Faku, and Marcus Wyatt.

The festival will take on two stages: an indoor 500-seat arrangement as well as an outdoor amphi-theatre that seats 2000 guests. Tickets are now on sale through Computicket. With a one-day pass available for R500 and a two-day pass at R650.

Performing alongside them on the two stages over the two-day festival are a foreign contingent comprising USA-based jazz artists Stefon Harris, Salim Washington, and Kenny Garrett as well as Dutch national Paul Van Kamenade. The artists will perform with an all-star big band drawn from a pool of talented local musicians.

“The launch of this festival certainly augurs well for the city of Tshwane. The event will not only breathe a new lease of life into the city’s cultural calendar, but will indeed boost the city brand’s international profile, boost tourism, offer a desperately needed fillip to the economy and contribute to job creation

“Another unique element of this festival is the focus on developing local talent. The collaborative performances will be augmented by a series of workshops and master classes conducted by members of the headline international cast, aimed at up-skilling up-and-coming musicians and music students through knowledge sharing,” says Jazz Foundation of South Africa CEO Oupa Salemane.