Cape Town has given birth to some of the greatest jazz musicians in the world – think Abdullah Ibrahim and Robbie Jansen, for starters – and played happy host to many, many more – think Jimmy Dludlu, Kesivan Naidoo, Buddy Wells, Frank Paco, Romy Brauteseth, Keenan Ahrends, Bokani Dyer and others, many of whom are UCT jazz graduates. But where can you find these extremely cool cats? Here are 5 of our best jazz dens in Cape Town:
Jazz in the Native Yards
We love the concept. Jazz in the Native Yards is a mobile jazz gig which takes place at various venues around the Cape, including people’s back yards and community centres. Most usually it’s at Kwa Sec in Gugulethu, but also at the Isivavane Centre in Khayelitsha and Guga S’Thebe in Langa. The idea is to draw in people from the townships and beyond to enjoy jazz in an informal setting. Event organisers Koko “Cokes” Nkalashe and Luvuyo Kakaza are the brains behind the gigs, explaining that while there are jazz venues in the CBD, these are often inaccessible to many. In order to bring jazz musicians back to people in the townships, it was important to create this space. The gigs are carefully curated, and have featured pumping sets from the likes of the Reza Khota Quartet, Feya Faku and Andile Yenana.
Visit: https://www.facebook.com/nativeyards/
Masque Theatre Foyer Jazz Sessions
The Masque theatre in Muizenberg is usually home to community theatre productions, but come Sunday evening and the warm, intimate foyer space is transformed into a jazz den. It can seat around 80 people, and food and drinks are for sale. The line-up has included some really interesting names, ranging from the Ramon Alexander Quartet to Frank Paco and his Art Ensemble.
Visit: https://www.masquetheatre.co.za/
The Crypt
The Crypt Jazz Restaurant is part of St George’s Cathedral in the CBD, and it’s open from Tuesday to Saturday, 7pm until midnight, with a broad range of jazz styles on offer. There’s also a full on menu plus drinks list – you pay a cover charge for the music. Over the years the venue has played host to both established and up and coming names, and upcoming programme features the likes of Afro Fiesta, Sylvia Mdunyelwa, the UCT Big Band, Ian Smith’s Virtual Jazz Reality and the Spencer Mbadu Quartet. Tuesday nights are jam sessions, where locals (and visiting jazz celebs) pull in and make improvised magic.
Visit: http://www.thecryptjazz.com/
Jazz at the Bakery
Slow Life and the indefatigable Paul Kahanovitz are behind these special sessions held in the actual bakery at the legendary Olympia Café in Kalk Bay. The smell of recently baked pastries mashed with freshly-served sounds is a heady mixture, making this an unusual and extremely pleasant setting! The line-up has been amazing, including musicians such as Carlo Mombelli and Kyle Shepherd, Steve Newman with Peter Ndlala, The Marc Hendricks Quintet and more. The sessions are usually on a Saturday night, but there have also been Sunday gigs.
Visit: https://www.facebook.com/slowlifesouthafrica/
Jazz at the Winchester Mansions
It’s been going for years now, and is a little pricey, but always popular. The jazz brunch in the garden courtyard of the Winchester Mansions attracts both locals and tourists. It runs from 11am to 2pm and includes a brunch feast (anything from eggs to sushi to dessert!) and a glass of bubbly on arrival for around R320 per person. Music lovers can read the complimentary Sunday paper and enjoy a bite while artists such as Austin Jacobs, Andrew Ford, Soi-Soi Gcqueze Band and Leonie le Roux fill the courtyard with their sounds.
Visit: http://www.winchester.co.za/
More music: Weekend Special Gig Guide
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