PRINCE ALBERT JOURNEY TO JAZZ
Thu May 1, 00:00 - Sun May 4, 00:00
Multiple venues
ABOUT
True Jazz True Karoo: A Celebration of Origins, Culture, and Community.
The Journey to Jazz Festival returns to Prince Albert from 1 – 4 May 2025, inviting you to explore the heart of jazz through 4 captivating venues and a stellar lineup of local and international artists.
Expect live performances, masterclasses, workshops, and a vibrant mix of food, conversation, and local meet and greets. This is more than a festival, it’s an invitation to connect with the soul of the Karoo.
Book your seat at the table and experience the heartbeat of the Karoo.
Festival Founders: Prince Albert Community Trust
Creative Director: Brenda Sisane
Artistic Director: Kyle Shepherd
Confirmed Venues:
The Showroom Theatre
NG Church
Prince Albert Community Trust Center
Kritikom Koppie Amphitheatre
First Artists Lineup:
Cape Town born composer, pianist/keyboards multi-instrumentalist, and raconteur Hilton Schilder, is always producing something new. His mastery with 16 indigenous and conventional instruments is renowned. Hilton has undoubtedly helped to mould the sound of what is now known as Cape Jazz. He brings a tight young band including violinist Shaheema Lakay, bass guitarist Clayton Norman Pretorius and rising star drummer Kurt Bowers
Siya Makuzeni is a trailblazing South African trombonist, vocalist, and composer renowned for her vocal dexterity and experimental creativity. A recipient of the 2016 Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Jazz, she blends traditional and modern jazz with Xhosa music, soul, and electronic influences to create a distinctive, genre-defying sound. Her band comprises of Trumpeter Robin Fassie, Tenor Sax Buddy Wells, Bass Schalk Joubert, Piano/Keys - Brathew Van Schalkwyk, and on drums Drums Marlon Witbooi
Carlo Mombeli and the Prisoners of Strange – Edition 2, featuring South African trumpeter, composer, and producer Marcus Wyatt, Maria Mombelli on voice and piano, the acclaimed Mark Fransman on woodwinds, and Justin Badenhorst on drums. This ensemble showcases Carlo’s signature bass-led compositions interwoven with rich, emotive soundscapes.
Paolo Damiani Last Land Band (Italy) led by Paolo Damiani a composer, conductor, cellist, double bass player and teacher from Rome who has worked with innumerable talented jazz artists such as Pat Metheny, Kenny Wheeler, Albert Mangelsdorff, Billy Higgins, Antony Braxton, Cecil Taylor, Gianluigi Trovesi, Miroslav Vitous, Trilok Gurtu, Paolo Fresu, Enrico Rava, to mention a few. Together with one of the most exciting voices of Italian jazz Elena Paparusso and jazz guitarist Antonio Jasevoli, will bring a special listening experience.
A prolific artist and collaborator Ernie Smith’s music transcends boundaries, connecting people from all walks of life through heartfelt and thought-provoking melodies. For Ernie, the greatest joy lies in seeing his music touch lives and inspire through the universal gift of song. A perfect fit for the festival opening act bringing the community together with recognisable hits.
Kujenga is a vibrant seven piece improvised music collective from Cape Town who met at college. They thrive on spontaneity and a deep-rooted celebration of Black culture and community, garnering them widespread acclaim. The band has received accolades and already introduced their unique sound to new audiences abroad, with their first international tour to the UK achieving a huge success at the end of 2024.
The Outeniqua High School Jazz Band, based in George, South Africa, is a dynamic ensemble celebrating the country’s rich cultural heritage through jazz. Under the guidance of music teacher Lynette Petersen, this talented group of learners combines traditional jazz with South African influences, for a unique and vibrant sound.
ARTIST BIOS
Cape Town born composer, pianist/keyboards multi-instrumentalist, and raconteur Hilton Schilder, is always producing something new. His mastery with 16 indigenous and conventional instruments is renowned. Hilton has undoubtedly helped to mould the sound of what is now known as Cape Jazz. He brings a tight young band including violinist
Shaheema Lakay, bass guitarist Clayton Norman Pretorius and rising star drummer Kurt Bowers
Siya Makuzeni is a trailblazing South African trombonist, vocalist, and composer renowned for her vocal dexterity and experimental creativity. A recipient of the 2016 Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Jazz, she blends traditional and modern jazz with Xhosa music, soul, and electronic influences to create a distinctive, genre-defying sound. Her band comprises of Trumpeter Robin Fassie, Tenor Sax Buddy Wells, Bass Schalk Joubert, Piano/Keys - Brathew Van Schalkwyk, and on drums Drums Marlon Witbooi
Carlo Mombeli and the Prisoners of Strange – Edition 2, featuring South African trumpeter, composer, and producer Marcus Wyatt, Maria Mombelli on voice and piano, the acclaimed Mark Fransman on woodwinds, and Justin Badenhorst on drums. This ensemble showcases Carlo’s signature bass-led compositions interwoven with rich, emotive soundscapes.
Paolo Damiani Last Land Band (Italy) led by Paolo Damiani a composer, conductor, cellist, double bass player and teacher from Rome who has worked with innumerable talented jazz artists such as Pat Metheny, Kenny Wheeler, Albert Mangelsdorff, Billy Higgins, Antony Braxton, Cecil Taylor, Gianluigi Trovesi, Miroslav Vitous, Trilok Gurtu, Paolo Fresu, Enrico Rava, to mention a few. Together with one of the most exciting voices of Italian jazz Elena Paparusso and jazz guitarist Antonio Jasevoli, will bring a special listening experience.
A prolific artist and collaborator Ernie Smith’s music transcends boundaries, connecting people from all walks of life through heartfelt and thought-provoking melodies. For Ernie, the greatest joy lies in seeing his music touch lives and inspire through the universal gift of song. A perfect fit for the festival opening act bringing the community together with recognisable hits.
Kujenga is a vibrant seven-piece improvised music collective from Cape Town that met at college. They thrive on spontaneity and a deep-rooted celebration of Black culture and community, garnering them widespread acclaim. The band has received accolades and already introduced its unique sound to new audiences abroad, with its first international tour to the UK achieving a huge success at the end of 2024.
The Outeniqua High School Jazz Band, based in George, South Africa, is a dynamic ensemble celebrating the country’s rich cultural heritage through jazz. Under the guidance of music teacher Lynette Petersen, this talented group of learners combines traditional jazz with South African influences, for a unique and vibrant sound.