A Joyful Weekend of Jazz in Cape Town

It was a weekend that reminded Cape Town why live jazz remains one of the most vibrant expressions of South African culture. From the electric energy of 1st Thursdays to the warm intimacy of a listening room, audiences were treated to a rich musical journey that celebrated both youthful brilliance and legendary mastery.

The festivities began with the youthful Umuthiomkhulu Ensemble, whose explosive performance at the iconic The Athletic Club & Social set the tone for the weekend. Playing to a full-capacity audience, the ensemble delivered an upbeat and rhythmically charged set that fused contemporary jazz sensibilities with deep African grooves. Their bold horn lines, energetic improvisations, and tight rhythm section ignited the room. The crowd responded with unrestrained joy—dancing, clapping, and singing along as the music built into a celebratory wave that swept through the venue.

The mood shifted from exuberant celebration to soulful reflection the following evening at The Alma Cafe, where legendary pianist Dr Tete Mbambisa delivered an engaging and deeply nostalgic performance. In the intimate acoustic setting, Mbambisa’s piano spoke with warmth and authority, guiding listeners through a musical journey that revisited some of his early recordings, including classics such as Black Heroes and Soweto Storm. His playing carried the elegance of a seasoned storyteller—each chord progression and melodic phrase unfolding like a memory shared with old friends.

What made the evening particularly special was the intergenerational spirit on stage. Among the standout moments was the exceptional performance of young saxophonist Esihle Valela, whose solos revealed remarkable brilliance and confidence. Valela’s improvisations were both lyrical and adventurous, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience and approving smiles from fellow musicians on stage.

Equally compelling was bassist Nick Ford, whose musical journey in Cape Town’s jazz circles stretches back many years. Listeners who remember the defunct The Touch of Madness may recall Ford performing there as a 19-year-old, already showing immense promise. Today that early potential has matured into the assured presence of a phenomenal bassist, whose warm tone and fluid lines anchored the band with elegance and authority.

Perhaps the most refreshing quality displayed by the two young musicians, Valela and Ford, was the visible joy they brought to the stage. They played with a sense of discovery—clearly entertaining their fellow musicians while also delighting in the music themselves. It was a vibrant exchange of smiles, musical nods, and playful improvisations. Such open enjoyment of the performance is something less frequently seen among older musicians in this genre, making their youthful spirit all the more invigorating to witness.

The audience at The Alma Cafe listened with rapt attention, often breaking into spontaneous applause after soaring solos and delicate piano passages. There was a sense of collective reverence in the room, as if everyone present understood they were witnessing a living chapter of South Africa’s jazz heritage.

The celebration will reach its next chapter when Dr Tete Mbambisa and his sextet present the finale of the Zabalaza Theatre Festival on Sunday, 15 March at 2pm at the Pam Golding Theatre at the Baxter, part of the renowned Baxter Theatre Centre. For this special performance, Mbambisa will be backed by Buddy Wells on saxophone, Keegan Steenkamp on trumpet, Nick Ford on bass, and Babes Ndamase on drums.

If the past weekend was any indication, audiences can expect an afternoon of musical storytelling that honours the past while embracing the future—an enduring hallmark of South African jazz.

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