The festival will kick off with a megastar one night only set of performances by iconic American smooth jazz innovator and multi-grammy award winning saxophonist and composer, David Sandborn.  The festivities will then swing on the sounds of the inimitable and song-stylist, Cassandra Wilson (USA). The Horn Summit, with Feya Faku, Khaya Mahlangu, Mthunzi Mvumbu, Barney Rachabane, Sydney Mavundla, Siphamandla Bhembe and Mandla Mlangeni will come together to honor the memory of Bra Hugh Masekela (SA) on the Dinaledi Stage.

As South Africa’s most authentic annual international jazz festival, SBJOJ21 will present an exciting programme that packs powerful performances by over 30 musicians representing jazz living heritages of five continents: Africa, the Middle East and Japan, along with Europe and the United States.

As musical celebrations unfold across five stages over three nights: 27, 28 and 29 September 2018 at the Sandton Convention Centre, jazz lovers will be treated to groundbreaking collaborations and tributes by new masters to older jazz giants of music.

Notable among these will be two odes to legendary trumpeters. The first is The Horn Summit in honour of Hugh Masekela. It will feature the great hornsmen’s Sydney Mavundla, and Feya Faku and rising trumpet stars Siphamandla Bhembe and Mandla Mlangeni along with reedmen Khaya Mahlangu, Mthunzi Mvubu and Barney Rachabane, (SA).

The second is for Louis Armstrong, the American giant who gifted Bra Hugh his first trumpet by The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong All-star Band the great trombonist, Wycliffe Gordon, tenorman, Roderick Pauli, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, bassist Reginald Veal, Courtney Bryan on piano, Herlin Riley on drums.

The phenomenal pianist, Amina Figarova, whose based in Holland and New York, the Azerbajan will lead two not to be missed collaborative projects. First with Thaba Jabula School Choir then she’ll team up with award winning local pianists, Kyle Shepherd and Bokani Dyer in an imaginative musical exploration that straddles multiple jazz piano traditions on the Dinaledi Stage. Pianist, Diane Schuur (USA) will share the stage with the reigning Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year for Jazz, Thandi Ntuli and the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band on the Diphala Stage.

Grammy nominated singer-songwriter, Buika is set to dazzle Jozi jazz junkies with her unique brand of flamenco fusion. The Spanish songstress will take to the Conga stage. The American singer-songwriter, Bilal will lay his retro rooted brand of futuristic soul music on the Mbira Stage.

Continental Africa will get a nod at the Conga and Mbira Stage with acts like the afro-beat sensation, Femi Koya (Nigeria); Kenya’s Nairobi Horns ,The leading voices of Mozambican marrabenta music, Wazimbo and Banda Kakana, The incredible singer songwriter Mbuso Khoza, The musical conscience of Zimbabwe, Oliver Mutukuzi will hold the fort along with Gugu Shezi.

“As we make a step into the 21 years since we began our journey as a jazz festival with world class ambitions, we are refreshed as it is challenged by what this milestone means for us. We have the security and confidence of two decades of living to the promises we make annually to jazz lovers. We also have a clear sense of the growth we still wish to achieve as a festival. We are looking forward to providing unparalleled access to the best jazz music in the world through our expertly curated programme and line-up as much as we are excited to be able to contribute to the development of our cultural economy. The jobs created annually by the festival, the education and training opportunities for young people on and off the stage are all part of one vision that underpins what we mean by Joy, in Standard Bank Joy of Jazz,” says Peter Tladi CEO, T-Musicman.

“This year we mark 20 years as the naming sponsor of the festival. We have witnessed the social and economic impact of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz deepen and seen the lives of many young people improve through the access to training and other opportunities that the festival makes possible. We are proud to continue to partner with T-Musicman on a brand that is so proudly African and showcases a wide range of our talent from across the continent and at the same time welcomes international talent to our shores. We say, ART_Is our future, ART_Is our heritage, ART_Is our journey,” says Thulani Sibeko, Standard Bank Chief Marketing Officer.

Living up to the festival’s stature as a South African and international festival the organisers will host launch events in KwaZulu-Natal,  the Free State and Limpopo Province.