Journey to Jazz Announces Artist Line-up and a Bounty of Festival Activities

In the first week of May this year, the creative and friendly village of Prince Albert in the Karoo, will come alive to the sounds of an inaugural, yet world-class, jazz festival called ‘Journey to Jazz’, which will be produced alongside 100 of the town’s youth, through the auspices and outreach works of the Prince Albert Community Trust (PACT).

This unique event is a showcase for the skills these youth, and many others, have developed over the years of working through PACT’s numerous programmes and are an extension of their mentors – several of whom are resident in the town and are recognised professionals in their fields. Their skills include event production, sound engineering, photography and videography, media, and marketing as well as music performers and artists and crafters.

Brenda Sisane, who is the 2023 Creative Director for Journey to Jazz says: “Music, has always found a way to unite people and the jazz genre, specifically, has a knack for storytelling and is a style that is recognised and celebrated throughout the world. International Jazz Day is celebrated annually on 30th April, consequently the dates for Journey for Jazz of 3-7 May, were chosen with purpose and we can’t wait to share this incredible experience with everyone.”

Although, this will be the first time that the Karoo Dorp has focused a festival on jazz specifically, the line-up for this maiden event, is truly first-class and bodes well for future iterations.

Artists appearing at Journey to Jazz 2023:

· Celle and Adrian Adriaansen

· The Mike Rossi Project: Roots and Routes – Mike Rossi, Blake Hellaby, Sibusiso Matsimela, and Lilavan Gangen

· Hassan’adas – John Hassan, Lucas Khumalo, Trevino Isaacs, Nathan Carolus, and Keegan Williams

· Kyle Shepherd Trio – Kyle Shepherd, Shane Cooper and Jonno Sweetman

· Melanie Scholtz featuring Hein Ven Der Geyn

· Derek Gripper

· UCT Little Big Band

· Amanda Tiffin Trio

· Karien De Waal and friends – strings and guitar

· Ramon Alexander and the Maties Jazz Society

· Karoo Jazz Project with Tribal Echo and Ramon Alexander

· Unity Vocal Quartet with Mads

· Chester Meyer.

Nestled underneath the majestic Swartberg mountains and home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Swartberg Pass – Prince Albert has made a name for itself as a creative and culinary destination. Journey to Jazz will solidify this reputation with a long weekend of festivities and, of course, exquisite music.