In the first week of May this year, the creative and friendly village of Prince Albert in the Karoo will come alive to the sounds of an inaugural, yet world-class, jazz festival, which will be produced by more than 100 of the town’s youth, through the auspices and outreach works of the Prince Albert Community Trust (PACT).
“Recipe for success – World class music, a world heritage environment, gourmet food and great company“
This unique event is a showcase for the skills these youth have developed over the years of working through PACT’s many programmes and are an extension of their mentors – many of whom are resident in the town and are recognised professionals in their fields. Their skills include event production, sound engineering, media, and marketing as well as music performers and artists.
Masterclasses – Thursday 4 May 2023
Performances – Friday 5th, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th May 2023
Brenda Sisane, who is the 2023 Creative Director for Journey to Jazz says: “Music, has always found a way to unite people and the jazz genre, specifically, has a knack for storytelling and is a style that is recognised and celebrated throughout the world. International Jazz Day is celebrated annually on 30th April, consequently, the dates for Journey for Jazz of 3-7 May, were chosen with purpose and we can’t wait to share this incredible experience with everyone.”
Although this will be the first time that the Karoo Dorp has focused a festival on jazz specifically, the line-up for this maiden event, is truly first-class.
Artists appearing at Journey to Jazz 2023:
- The Mike Rossi Project: Roots to Routes featuring Mike Rossi, Blake Hellaby, Sibusiso Matsimela, and Lilavan Gangen
- Hassanadas – John Hassan, Lucas Khumalo, Trevino Isaacs, Nathan Carolus, and Keegan Williams
- Kyle Shepherd Trio: Kyle Shepherd, Shane Cooper and Jonno Sweetman
- Melanie Scholtz and Hein Ven Der Geyn
- Derek Gripper
- UCT head of Jazz Studies, Amanda Tiffin, and the UCT Little Big Band in various ensembles
- Amanda Tiffin Trio
- Karien De Waal Trio
- Tribal Echo – Frazer Barry, Deniel Barry featuring Ramon Alexander
- Prince Albert Jazz Explorers: Local Musicians.
- Madelaine Barnard and the Unity Male Voices
- Chester Myer.
Nestled underneath the majestic Swartberg mountains and home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Swartberg Pass – Prince Albert has made a name for itself as a creative and culinary destination. Journey to Jazz will solidify this reputation with a long weekend of festivities and, of course, exquisite music.
For the Journey to Jazz Festival programme go to – https://journeytojazz.co.za/programme/.
The festival footprint
Prince Albert’s main road will be cordoned off on Friday and Saturday to host a series of markets, food stalls and the local restaurants will welcome local music artists, buskers, dancers, painters, and more.
The principal performances will take place in the NG Kerk on the main road, whose acoustics are comparable to some of the best stages around. Tickets will be sold to each performance with a limited number of weekend passes available and the proceeds going to PACT to continue the good works this NPO performs on a daily basis.
But, for festival goers looking for even more intimate and exclusive performances, there will be a select number of lunch or dinner concerts happening at some of the restaurant venues in town. Seats for these exclusive ‘in conversation with’ concerts will be up to 50 per performance.
Being a festival and uniting the town with its feel-good vibes, the townsfolk have also come together and have curated several other experiences that will also be on offer on the Journey to Jazz Quicket Ticket site at https://www.quicket.co.za/events/209413-prince-albert-journey-to-jazz/#/
J2J Experiences include:
- The Premiere of the Strijdom Van der Merwe Film– Sculpting this Earth – an ecology art film
- An artisanal pizza and wine pairing and other food and music pairings at restaurants throughout the town
- A creative sausage workshop
- A Southeast Asia Sensory Cooking Journey workshop
- Sunrise Yoga under the open skies
- A ghost walk – suitable for all ages
- Sleeping out under the stars 4th /5th
- Guided walks through the Wolwerkraal Reserve
- Guided mountain bike trail through exclusive areas
- Night at the Museum supper with local storytelling
- Walk the word labyrinth on the farm, Aswater, with land art.
A percentage of takings from these activities are donated to PACT.
Prince Albert, and the Karoo itself, are also known for legendary hospitality and the town has a variety of welcoming guesthouses, but locals are also expected to open their doors to visitors looking for a bed for a night or two.
Cape Town in Colour 