Latest news with #BombayLights
IOL News
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
CTIJF 2025 grand finale: the jazz stars set to sizzle as the city plans to swing all night, tonight
Scenes from last night's Cape Town International Jazz Festival events at the CTICC. Tonight is expected to be just as vibrant, if not more so. Image: Armand Hough/ Independent Newspapers It has been a Cape Town International Jazz Festival to remember with still one night left to savour and take in local and global sensations at the CTICC tonight. The festival this year has had quite a few coups, and many of them will be on stage tonight, in the last night of yet another successful jazz festival which has proven why it is known as Africa's Grandest Gathering. Here is a sample of some of the acts on the stages tonight. KIPPIES LIRA at 18.45 A voice that transcends time, a presence that commands the stage, Lira returns to #CTIJF2025. Image: Supplied A voice that resonates with grace, strength, and pure soul, Lira is a true icon of Afro-soul and jazz. Effortlessly blending rich, velvety vocals with uplifting melodies, she crafts performances that are both intimate and transcendent. Her music carries wisdom, passion, and a timeless elegance - an experience that stays with you long after the final note. Thandiswa Mazwai at 22.15 Thandiswa Mazwai stands ready to cast her spell through music, holding the promise of heartfelt connections and a celebration of jazz that is, as she states, both revolutionary and soulful ay the CTIJF tonight. Image: File image A cultural icon and one of South Africa's most powerful voices, Mazwai embodies the soul of a nation. Seamlessly weaving Xhosa heritage with jazz, soul, and Afro-futurism, her performances are nothing short of transformative—charged with emotion, storytelling, and an undeniable stage presence. Expect a performance that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. ROSIES Igor Butman Quartet at 23.45 Russian jazz saxophonist Igor Butman at the Cape Town Waterfront ahead of his performance at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival tonight. Image: Picture:Ian Landsberg. Renowned Russian saxophonist and bandleader Igor Butman stands as a towering figure in the jazz world. Together with his quartet, which includes Oleg Akkuratov (piano), Nikolay Zatolochny (double bass) and Eduard Zizak (drums), Butman is set for an electrifying performance tonight. As the leader of the Moscow Jazz Orchestra, Butman has collaborated with international jazz luminaries, bringing Russian jazz to global prominence. His performances are celebrated for their technical brilliance and emotive depth, offering audiences a masterclass in contemporary jazz artistry. Bill Clinton, a well-known saxophone enthusiast and former US president, once praised Butman as "one of the greatest saxophonists in the world". Bombay Lights at 18:00 Bombay Lights promises to enchant audiences with their unique fusion of soul and Indian classical roots blended seamlessly with contemporary jazz. Image: Lutho Pasiya A sonic journey through soul, Indian classical roots, jazz, and modern textures, Bombay Lights creates music that is both hypnotic and deeply emotive. Their sound pulses with dreamy melodies, intricate rhythms, and an unmistakable cinematic feel, offering a performance that is as immersive as it is unforgettable. MOLELEKWA Malcolm Jiyane at 20.30pm Celebrated trombonist and bandleader Malcolm Jiyane will perform at CTIJF 2025. Image: Andile Buka Trombonist, composer, and visionary, Jiyane crafts music that is raw, deeply spiritual and emotionally charged. Drawing from South Africa's rich jazz heritage while shaping something entirely his own, his performances are a profound expression of history, identity, and pure creative fire. Benjamin Jeptha ft. Kujenga at 00.30 Representing the contemporary soul of jazz, Benjamin Jephta is a rising star known for his innovative sound that blends African rhythms with modern jazz and hip hop. Image: Hymie Sokhupa
Eyewitness News
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Eyewitness News
CTICC abuzz as CT International Jazz Festival in full swing
CAPE TOWN - The Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) was abuzz on Friday night as the Jazz Festival officially kicked off. The 22nd edition of the festival is back again for a second consecutive year after a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has so far hosted various artists like Black Coffee, The Ploemies, Bombay Lights, and many more. Festival goers shared their excitement with Eyewitness News: 'This is my second time coming and I feel like it's been better than last year so far. The vibes are good, I love that there's new artists, and yeah, I'm having a good time,' one festival goer said. Another said, "So, the friends that I'm with who are now silent are coming to see Masego and they're actually more excited than what I am. I'm actually here for the vibes hey. Like honestly, I was going to have FOMO at home on a Friday night, so why not get out and enjoy myself?' 'Well, I'm hoping it's going to be a fantastic evening. I am very excited to see Black Coffee. Obviously, that's the highlight,' said another.
IOL News
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Bombay Lights set to mesmerise with their unique sound at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Bombay Lights promises to enchant audiences with their unique fusion of soul and Indian classical roots blended seamlessly with contemporary jazz. Image: Lutho Pasiya The anticipation is electric as the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) kicks off this evening at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). Among the talented acts is the eagerly awaited Bombay Lights, a band that promises to enchant audiences with their unique fusion of soul and Indian classical roots blended seamlessly with contemporary jazz. Taking the stage at the intimate Rosies area tomorrow at 6pm, Bombay Lights is set to deliver a performance characterised by dreamy melodies and intricate rhythms - an experience designed to transport listeners on a vivid sonic journey. Renowned for their hypnotic and evocative sound, the band incorporates traditional Indian instruments like the Santoor harmonium and the Shehnai into their repertoire, complemented by vibrant percussion and modern rhythms. Today, the band participated in a masterclass at the CTICC, engaging with festival attendees on using traditional instruments in jazz. The CTIJF 2025 masterclasses were curated and facilitated by Craig Parks. Reflecting on their debut at the festival, a band member expressed their excitement: 'This is the very first time that we are here. I'm very glad, and CTICC is such a prestigious venue." "It's such an honour and we would like to thank the entire Cape Town International Jazz Festival team for having us. We are looking forward to performing tomorrow.' When asked about what festival-goers can expect, they shared, 'We will be introducing tunes that we have composed as a team. We will be showcasing some of the oldest traditional instruments of India. Alongside that, we'll blend instruments like congas, bongos, and traditional drums.' The band's name, Bombay Lights, reflects the vibrant life of their hometown, known for its endless energy and brilliance. 'The city doesn't sleep, so that's called Bombay Lights,' they explained. It's a fitting nickname for a group that encapsulates the dynamic spirit of their cultural roots. Exploring their interpretation of jazz, the band noted, 'Jazz for us is not only music. It's a blend of many cultures and improvisation. Indian music is rooted in improvisation; it brings together various cultural influences and thoughts. It's not just about the music or the swing - it's about a lifestyle we live.'
