CTIJF unveils first artist in stellar line-up: Black Coffee and Nduduzo Makhathini in groundbreaking collaboration
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF), Africa’s grandest gathering of jazz and world-class musical talent, proudly announced the first artist in its highly anticipated 2025 line-up: the internationally acclaimed DJ and producer Black Coffee, who will collaborate with award-winning jazz pianist Nduduzo Makhathini in a performance set to redefine musical boundaries.
This world-class collaboration, featuring a full orchestra, horns, percussion and an array of special guest vocalists, will be one of the most unforgettable moments in the festival's history.
As the first of several announcements set to roll out throughout the week, this revelation signals a festival brimming with innovation, artistry, and unmatched musical excellence. The full line-up will be unveiled in April.
Black Coffee, a global trailblazer in electronic and house music, and Nduduzo Makhathini, a jazz visionary and spiritual music interpreter, share a deep musical lineage rooted in jazz studies from Technikon Natal in Durban.
Their early collaborations culminated in Black Coffee’s celebrated release Music Is King, with Makhathini’s striking contribution on the track “Muye” becoming a standout piece.
Driven by a shared mission to transcend genre divisions and elevate sonic aesthetics, the duo has continued to experiment and create, blending jazz’s intricate improvisations with the pulsating energy of deep house.
Their CTIJF performance will mark the first time their joint repertoire is performed live in a fully orchestrated song, promising an experience that merges the best of both worlds—soul-stirring jazz and hypnotic electronic rhythms.
Globally recognised as one of the most influential DJs and music producers of his generation, Black Coffee has taken South African house music to international heights.
With multiple awards under his belt, including a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album, he has headlined the world’s most prestigious festivals and clubs, from Coachella to Ibiza’s famed residencies.
His signature sound—a fusion of deep, emotive beats with African rhythms—has captivated millions and established him as a cultural icon.
A torchbearer of South African jazz, Nduduzo Makhathini is an acclaimed pianist, composer and bandleader whose work bridges traditional African spirituality with modern jazz.
Signed to the iconic Blue Note Records, Makhathini’s music is revered for its meditative, healing qualities and its deep-rooted connection to the sounds of the African continent.
His collaborations with Black Coffee reflect a visionary approach that transcends musical categories, craving compositions that resonate on both emotional and intellectual levels.
This exclusive CTIJF concert will take audiences on a journey through both artists’ legendary catalogues, from classic hits to newly composed pieces, all reimagined in an orchestrated, live setting.
With an ensemble of world-class musicians and surprise guest vocalists, this collaboration is set to be one of the festival’s most groundbreaking performances to date.
Lindsay Rhoda, talent manager of the CTIJF, shared her excitement about the festival’s phased announcements, stating: "Kicking off our 2025 line-up with a collaboration of this magnitude sets the tone for what promises to be one of the most unforgettable editions of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Black Coffee and Nduduzo Makhathini’s fusion of electronic mastery and jazz brilliance is just the beginning.“
“This week, we’ll be revealing more phenomenal artists on our social media platforms, with more names dropping next week—leading up to the full line-up announcement at the end of March. Music lovers, get ready. CTIJF 2025 is going to be nothing short of spectacular!"
Stay tuned as the Cape Town International Jazz Festival continues to reveal more of its exciting 2025 line-up in the coming days.
The full artist roster will be announced in April, promising an event that will once again cement CTIJF as the pinnacle of musical excellence on the African continent.