The Youth to Masters Jazz Festival will take place at the Artscape theatre from Friday September 10 to Monday September 13.

Launched in 2003 and previously known as the Youth Jazz Festival, this is one of Artscape’s annual flagship projects, and the focus remains on skills development within the jazz genre.

The festival will kick-off with seven young, aspiring jazz musicians and instrumentalists who have made the cut following auditions that were held earlier this year. Comprising pupils and informal music students not older than 27, this year’s youth jazz band members are Nick Ford (bass), Damian Kamineth (drums), Melisizwe Plaatjie (piano), Shandy Sarantos (guitar), Jed Petersen (Saxophone), Jodie Fredericks (vocals) and Robin Castle (vocals).

They have been mentored by the likes of Amanda Tiffin (director, vocalist mentor), Mandisi Dyantyis (song writing and musical director), Kevin Gibson (drums mentor), Wesley Rustin (bass and guitar mentor) and Marc de Kock (brass and woodwinds mentor).

Day two of the festival will welcome on stage previous participants who have carved a name for themselves in jazz over the last few years and evolved from youth to legends, including Kerwin Albertus, Sean Sanby, Bradley Prince, Timothy Ehrenreich, Brathew van Schalkwyk, Nobuhle Ashanti, Thembelihle Dunjana, Marco Maritz, Adelia Douw, Anathi Mobo, Lisa Gcwabe, Seth van Graan and Thandeka Dladla.

The festival will then wrap up with performances by the jazz masters, including celebrated icons such as George Werner, Alvin Dyers, Charles Louw, Denver Furness, Ivan Bell, Spencer Mbadu, Gary Kriel, Tete Mbambisa, Erica Lundi, Zelda Benjamin, Tony Cedras, Soi Soi Gqeza, Victor Kula and VJR, a four-piece band comprising Ian Smith, Andrew Ford, Sammy Webber and Kevin Gibson, who will be featuring artists Gloria Bosman, Richard Caesar, Adelia Douw and others.

All activities comply with all Covid-19 regulations including social distancing and patrons must wear masks for entry.

Tickets cost R80. Book through Computicket or Artscape Dial-a-seat on 021 421 7695. Visit www.artscape.co.za for more information.