Jazz stars come out

Cape Town – The Cape Town International Jazz Festival held its first artists announcement on Tuesday.

Cape Town International Jazz Festival organisers had to wait for more than three years to be able to find space in saxophonist Wayne Shorter’s busy schedule and get him to perform at "Africa’s Grandest Gathering".

According to espAfrika and festival director Rashid Lombard, as organisers they have always wanted the 77-year old saxophonist to appear in Cape Town. "For years, it's been our wish to get Wayne Shorter to the festival. As a touring artist we could never get the time right. We are thrilled that this round this living jazz legend could make".

Shorter leads his stellar quartet made up of pianist Danilo Perez, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Brian Blade at the festival that takes place on Friday and Saturday March 25-26 at Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

Other headliners include the 1970s band Earth, Wind and Fire (EWF) and US saxophonist Dave Koz.

Rooted in soul, funk, gospel, blues and jazz, EWF emerged as the other wing of pop music of the 1970s, based on Afro-American musical sensibilities. To produce its sound, EWF members used their skills as jazz musicians to produce brassy music that transcended categories.

The full list revealed at the first artists announcement: 

Earth, Wind and Fire (US)
Christian Scott (US)
Dave Ledbetter and the Clearing (SA)
Dave Koz (US), Esperanza Spalding (US)
Gang of Instrumentals (SA)
Gazelle (SA)
Hanjin (Singapore/Hong Kong)
Hubert Laws (US)
Ivan Mazuze (Mozambique/SA)
Lisa Bauer (SA)
Monique Bingham (US)
Patricia Barber (US)
Sandra Cordera (Angola)
Simphiwe Dana (SA)
The Flames – Official Reunion (SA)
Wayne Shorter Quartet with Brian Blade, Danilo Perez & John Patitucci (US) and Youssou N’dour (Senegal).