While I would never call myself a fan of the music, I appreciate jazz as an art form, and it’s no wonder that The Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) has built such an incredible following. With that, the festival continues to build anticipation with its latest artist announcement, headlined by one of my favourite new R&B girls, Ari Lennox.
Ari Lennox To Bring RnB Crooning To Cape Town International Jazz Festival
A force of nature in the global music scene, as well as the host of a slew of entertaining Instagram live sessions, Ari Lennox is set to bring her signature blend of sultry vocals, soulful melodies, and raw storytelling to the CTIJF debut festival stage, taking place 25-26 April 2025.
Her critically acclaimed debut album, “Shea Butter Baby” (2019), made me and many other listeners a fan of her deeply personal songwriting and powerhouse vocals, with the title track featuring on the “Creed II” soundtrack and amassing millions of streams.
Her follow-up project, “age/sex/location” (2022), cemented her reputation as a modern soul icon, with hits like Pressure topping charts and collaborations with the great Summer Walker, Lucky Daye, and Chlöe Bailey further expanding her reach.
Lennox’s music is an intoxicating fusion of vulnerability, sensuality, and empowerment, which aligns with those she considers inspirations: Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, and Mariah Carey.
For fans of soul, jazz, and R&B, Lennox’s CTIJF set promises to be a showstopper — an unforgettable night of rich harmonies, undeniable stage presence, and the kind of heartfelt storytelling that has made her a beloved figure in contemporary music.
A Jazzy Line-Up
“With every artist announcement, we’re curating a festival that honours jazz’s rich traditions while embracing its ever-evolving sounds. This year’s line-up brings together global icons and local innovators, ensuring a truly immersive experience for festinos.” – Lindsay Rhoda, CTIJF talent manager
Joining Ari Lennox on this week’s line-up reveal are two outstanding South African talents – multi-award-winning bassist and composer Benjamin Jephta, who returns with a special anniversary project featuring the dynamic jazz collective Kujenga, and saxophonist and composer Linda Sikhakhane, who embodies the ever-evolving spirit of South African jazz and whose deeply emotive and exploratory sound has captivated audiences worldwide.
A Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz and a Mail & Guardian Young South African, Jephta’s genre-defying style blends jazz with contemporary influences, pushing the boundaries of musical storytelling and this year, he celebrates the 10th anniversary of his debut album “Homecoming” with “Homecoming Revisited”, a bold reimagining that fuses jazz with Afrobeat and dance music.
Recognised as “South Africa’s New Generation of Jazz” by Okay Africa, Kujenga brings a fresh, socially conscious energy to the stage. Together, Jephta and Kujenga promise an electrifying set that reinterprets Homecoming while honouring its legacy.
These latest additions follow last week’s reveal of Black Coffee & Nduduzo Makhathini, the Kyle Shepherd Trio, and Thandiswa Mazwai, setting the stage for an unforgettable festival experience.
Jazzy Up Some Tickets
Festival tickets start from R1050 and are available here. Feel free to visit the festival website or follow the festival’s social media page.
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