02-05-2025
Journey to Jazz 2025 begins with sunrise salute from Siya Makuzeni in Prince Albert
Visitors experienced the spiritual connection of jazz, community, and culture at the Journey to Jazz Festival 2025 in Prince Albert.
The third edition of the Journey to Jazz Festival opened this morning with a powerful and haunting performance by Siya Makuzeni, whose sunrise salute echoed through the ancient bowl of the Krittikom Koppie amphitheatre in Noordeinde, Prince Albert.
As the first rays of sunlight spilled across the Karoo landscape, Makuzeni's voice and trombone rose in evocative harmony with the rocks and rhythms around her - a mesmerising invocation of ancestral memory, natural energy, and musical brilliance.
Despite the early chill, festivalgoers wrapped in blankets and warm smiles gathered to welcome both the dawn and the official opening of this soulful celebration of jazz, place, and people.
'There is something deeply spiritual about beginning the festival here, among ancient rocks, with the human voice as instrument and invocation and the haunting sounds of the trombone,' said Brenda Sisane, creative director of Journey to Jazz.
'This festival isn't just about jazz — it's about rooting the music in landscape, community, and culture. It's about listening deeply.'
