CTIJF and Artscape collaborate to nurture the next generation of jazz talent

There is a moment during a live jazz performance when the room falls silent, and the music simply takes over.

That exact transcendent magic hit the Artscape Theatre during the recent Artscape Youth Jazz Series.

Coming hot on the heels of a massively successful Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) (https://iol.co.za/capetimes/news/2026-06-09-ctijf-proudly-partners-with-ian-burgess-simpson-pianos/), which was held in The Mother City in March (https://iol.co.za/capetimes/news/2026-06-09-ctijf-proudly-partners-with-ian-burgess-simpson-pianos/), the buzzing energy in the room was a living, breathing testament to the raw wealth of local talent.

Friday night was a high-energy intersection of Cape Town culture, local talent and musical heritage. The crowd - a stylish mix of cultural insiders, veteran jazz cats and young trendsetters - gathered to witness an emotional masterclass.

Sitting in the audience, the sheer gravity of the talent on display was enough to give you goosebumps. The Artscape originally started this premier mentorship initiative in 2003.

For 2027, the CTIJF has announced a partnership with the Artscape called Festival Classroom.

It is built on a simple truth: the most meaningful learning happens outside school walls, where aspiring artists sit face-to-face with industry icons.

By pairing raw Mzansi talent with world-class masterclasses, the programme fuels the local lifestyle scene while empowering the next generation with musical excellence, core confidence and unapologetic cultural pride.

Meanwhile, audiences on Friday night were treated to rich, classical renditions of South African jazz standards alongside breathtaking original compositions. University of Cape Town (UCT) jazz student Talicia Mariti set an incredibly high bar.

She delivered a deeply moving performance of her original piece, "Move On", leaving the crowd completely captivated by her emotional maturity. When Sibabalwe Gobe-Gysman took the stage, the emotional pull was undeniable. The 20-year-old Stellenbosch student completely overtook the space with his vocals and flute.

All you could do was sit there, feel the raw human energy, and let it wash over you. Other unforgettable highlights included a vibrant tribute to legendary guitarist Louis Mhlanga with "What Happened to Love," featuring the brilliant guitar stylings of Daniel (a second-year UCT student) and Cole Krieling (a fourth-year jazz student at UCT).

The modern remix

During the show, there was a stirring, evocative rendition of Nduduzo Makhathini’s "Ithemba".

It was featured as part of a flawless execution by Henco Bester and Franco von Wielligh. Additionally, there were moving interpretations of works by Letta Mbulu and Caiphus Semenya by 16-year-old vocalist Mackenzie Hendricks.

The line-up reflected the diverse richness of the Western Cape. The stage beautifully blended seasoned UCT prodigies with the absolute youngest powerhouse of the night: 15-year-old drummer Ethan Herman.

Representing the Mitchells Plain Academy of Music, his flawless rhythm set the evening.

The future of our sound is in incredibly safe hands. If you want to feel the true heartbeat of Cape Town’s entertainment scene, look no further than these kids.​