Jill Scott to headline at the

Cape Town Jazz FestivalGrammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter-poet Jill Scott has been confirmed to perform at this year’s Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

Organisers of the jazz festival announced the full line-up on Tuesday afternoon.
Ben Sharpa and Senegalese artist Cheikh Lô will also be among the performers making appearances at this year’s event. They will be joining the other 13 performers announced late last year. The event takes place at a number of venues in Cape Town on April 5 and 6.
Jill Scott was announced as last year’s headline act, but was forced to withdraw from the festival because of other commitments.
The annual event is the highlight of South Africa’s jazz calendar, featuring both local and international jazz legends, as well as being a prestigious training ground for young jazz talent. While billed as a jazz festival, it has regularly featured hip-hop and soul artists, such as Pharoahe Monch and Lauryn Hill, who appeared at last year’s festival.
South African musician Victor Ntoni, who passed away suddenly on Monday, had been due to perform. A minute’s silence was held in his honour at the line-up announcement.
The line-up will also include festival regular Jimmy Dludlu, the UK’s acid jazz act the Brand New Heavies, US jazz artists Jack DeJohnette, Ravi Coltrane and Matt Garrison  and Robert Glasper.
Festival director Rashid Lombard emphasised that the diverse line-up will appeal to a broad audience.
“We are delighted with this line-up. Once again we have been able to secure world-class international acts as well as the cream of our local talent. There is something for everyone from lovers of traditional jazz to younger audiences looking to hear more mainstream, popular music. Festival goers will not be disappointed”. – www.mg.co.za

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