Sheila Maurice-Gray, trumpeter and vocalist with UK outfit, Kokoroko during the band’s set on the Manenberg stage. Picture: Fuad Esack

SA’s Judith Sephuma giving it her best during her stint on stage at the weekend’s Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Picture: Fuad Esack

Ever popular Judith Sephuma on stage at the weekend’s jazz fest at the CTICC. Picture: Fuad Esack

Judith Sephuma closing off her set with a string of her hit songs on Day One. Picture: Fuad Esack

A party is not a party with out Mi Casa, as lead singer Joao da Fonseca, better known as J’Something demonstrates during the band’s turn on the Manenberg Stage, at the weekend’s CTIJF. Picture: Fuad Esack

Mi Casa trumpeter Moshe Kgasoane, aka Mo-T, let’s his horn do the talking during the band’s set on stage last Friday. Picture: Fuad Esack

Celebrated jazz guitarist Jimmy Dludlu keeping it real, at Kippies, to close off this year’s Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Picture: Fuad Esack

No matter the point of view, the look, the style, the guitar, it’s all Jimmy Dludlu. Picture: Fuad Esack

Down on his knees and playing.... Mr Magic Fingers Jimmy Dludlu at the weekend’s Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Picture: Fuad Esack

Guitar maestro Jimmy Dludlu on stage at Kippies, at the weekend’s CTIJF. Picture: Fuad Esack

With a host of top SA and international acts on offer at the weekend’s Cape Town International Jazz Festival at the CTICC, music lovers can be forgiven for having had difficulty deciding who to see or where to go.

Regardless of taste or genre, the 21st edition of “Africa’s Grandest Gathering” - the first in four years since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic - had a little something for everyone, from the connoisseur with delicate musical taste buds to faithful fans waiting in line to catch their favourite artist.

With guaranteed crowd-pleasers such as Judith Sephuma, Jimmy Dludlu, Mi Casa and Mandisi Dyantyis rocking the house during the course of the three-day extravanganza, which kicked off with the traditional free concert on Greenmarket Square last Thursday, May 2, what more could one ask for?

One more song, perhaps - as the performers were more than happy to give fans exactly what they wanted and some more.

Always a fan favourite, Afro-Jazzman Mandisi Dyantyis is not short of amazing, whether on vocals or trumpet. Picture: Fuad Esack

Trumpeter extradinaire, Mandisi Dyantyis, has every right to blow his own trumpet, as he so expertly did during his set at the weekend’s Cape Town International Jazz Festival, at the CTICC. Picture: Fuad Esack

A member of Mandisi Dyantyis’ jazz band pulls the strings during the maestro’s set at the weekend’s CTIJF. Picture: Fuad Esack

For those with a thing for old school tunes, 80s outfit Matt Bianco took less than half a minute to get the crowd going while Tunde “The voice from Lighthouse Family” Baiyewu’s, instantly recognisable voice carried the audience on a musical trip down memory lane with a selection of Lighthouse classics like Lifted, Ocean Drive and High and some of his own songs as a solo artist.

The cool kids hung out with Moonchild, Mörda, Koroko, Radio Sechaba and the Yussef Dayes Experience while Hilton Schilder, Thandi Ntuli and Nduduzo Makhathini, among others, catered for the more refined listener. All in all, this year’s showcase more than lived up to the hype.

King of Cool Tunde “The voice from Lighthouse Family” Baiyewu during his turn in front of his fans, at the weekend’s CTIJF. Picture: Fuad Esack

Tunde Baiyewu performs a selection of Lighthouse classics like Lifted, Ocean Drive and High and some of his own songs, during his stint on stage at the weekend’s CTIJF. Picture: Fuad Esack.

Pianist and composer Bokani Dyer on keys as he brings his Radio Sechaba project to this year’s CTIJF, which took place at the CTICC at the weekend. Picture: Fuad Esack

Radio Sechaba’s Bokani Dyer on the keyboard during his band’s set at the weekend’s CTIJF. Picture: Fuad Esack

Pretoria pianist and vocalist Thandi Ntuli hits the note with subtlety and simplicity during her set at Rosies during Saturday’ final festival day. Picture: Fuad Esack

UK drum wizard Yussef Dayes during his stint under the spotlight at the Molelekwa stage, at the weekend’s CTIJF. Picture: Fuad Esack

English drummer Yussef Dayes bringing his Afro-Caribbean inspired jazzy vibes to the weekend’s CTIJF. Picture: Fuad Esack

In demand drummer, Yussef Dayes takes centre stage at the weekend’s CTIJF. Dayes’ set drew a lot of interest with fans having to wait in a long queue to see him perform at the Molelekwa stage. Picture: Fuad Esack

Clint Loggenberg aka DJ Clint L keeps the party going at the Manenberg stage, the only outdoor venue at the weekend’s CTIJF. Picture: Fuad Esack

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