The who’s who of the jazz world, at least one Hollywood megastar and thousands of music lovers have arrived in Cape Town for the event that has become known as Africa’s Grandest Gathering: the 12th Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
The jazz stars performing at the sold-out event at the CTICC this weekend include Grammy Award-winner Esperanza Spalding, renowned saxophonist Dave Koz, and African legends Hugh Masekela and Youssou Ndour.
Several Jazz Festival performers attended a posh private affair organised by the president of the entertainment division of Kerzner International, Jerry Inzerillo, at one of The One & Only Hotel’s three luxury penthouse apartments at the V&A Waterfront on Thursday night.
Actor Denzel Washington, Bebe Winans and Verdine White from Earth, Wind & Fire as well as the members of local band Gang of Instrumentals, were among the celebrity guests attending.
Cape Town mayor Dan Plato and rugby legend Chester Williams were among the first to arrive.
Washington entered the premises wearing a pair of black jeans and a black T-shirt, and was promptly mobbed by a group of cameramen.
The Oscar winner graciously greeted guests and spent the evening in the VIP area.
Champagne and canapes flowed freely and three elaborate cakes were wheeled out to celebrate the birthdays of several VIPs, including Jimmy Domingo, chief operations officer of EspAfrika and Rashid Lombard, EspAfrika chief executive officer, who both celebrated their 60th birthdays.
Saxophone star Dave Koz also received birthday congratulations for his birthday tomorrow.
US gospel star Winans sang an impromptu birthday serenade.
Meanwhile in the city, the Pepper Club Hotel hosted international and local media for interviews with the festival’s headline acts.
Cape Town-based jazz vocalist Lisa Bauer said she’d be presenting a blend of traditional jazz standards with a contemporary edge.
Bauer said the festival would be great exposure for her music.
At Earth Wind & Fire’s press conference, band member Philip Bailey said the band had always had “a great longing” to perform in South Africa.
“We will definitely come back,” he said.
President Jacob Zuma, in his State of the Nation Address this year, said last year’s festival contributed more than R475 million to the Cape Town economy and created 2 000 jobs. - Weekend Argus