Cape Town has a rich jazz history, boasting some of the country’s best jazz venues.
Here’s what you need to know about jazz in the Mother City and which places you should go and check out!
History of Jazz in the Mother City
There’s a special place for jazz in Cape Town. The complex collision of cultures here provided the perfect setting for the genre’s development from the city’s earliest days. By the 1960s Cape Town was home to some world-famous jazz musicians, including Basil Coetzee, Winston Mankunku, and Abdullah Ibrahim (known then as Dollar Brand).
It was Abdullah Ibrahim who composed Mannenberg, the seminal and influential Cape jazz tune, recorded in a studio here in Cape Town on one of his brief visits to South Africa from exile.
Jazz in Cape Town is more than music. It is the story of history, salvation, exile, and freedom.
Jazz Venues You Must Visit in Cape Town
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Find out more here: capetownjazzfest.com
Coffeebeans Routes Jazz Safari
Coffeebeans Routes hosts a thrilling 4-hour Jazz Safari in Cape Town. The tour takes visitors into the homes of local jazz musicians, where they get to enjoy some local cuisine and the most intimate jazz performance you’ll ever come across. After dinner with a local musician, the tour takes you to either a jazz venue or another musician’s home for more music and a nightcap. The tour is a unique opportunity to meet local musicians away from club stages, and an excellent way to discover more about Cape Town and the lives of the people who live in it through the music. The team recently launched a Jazz Night, running from 7 to 10pm.
Website: coffeebeansroutes.com
Incognito, The Alphen Boutique Hote
Enjoy the velvety sounds of jazz every Thursday evening at Incognito at The Alphen Boutique Hotel in Constantia. The set takes place from 7pm-9.30pm. While you listen to the live performances, you can enjoy their tapas-style menu, boasting small plates, sliders, platters, and pizza.
Website: www.kovecollection.co.za
Blue Room
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Situated on Bree Street, the Blue Room at Grub & Vine is a leading live music lounge, showcasing the continent’s top talent. Firmly rooted in jazz and the blues, visitors can enjoy nightly live performances from 7pm. As an extension of the Grub & Vine bistro, the Blue Room also offers decadent fare, an award-winning wine list, and a collection of signature, hand-crafted cocktails for you to sample while you enjoy the show.
Website: theblueroomza.com
The Athletic Club & Social
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Openwine
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This Wale Street wine bar, an absolute favourite with locals, hosts its highly anticipated Jazz Jam Sessions every Sunday, starting at 5pm. With a fresh lineup of artists every week, each session promises a unique experience. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to arrive early to secure your spot.
Website: www.instagram.com/openwine
The Sanctuary Restaurant, Kloof Street Hotel
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