Celebrating 22 Years of the Youth Jazz Series at Artscape
LAUNCHED in 2003, the Youth Jazz Series has evolved in numerous forms, passing through the hands of Cape Town’s music legends who have shaped the careers of countless young musicians.
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MARKING the 22nd rendition of one of Artscape’s annual flagship projects, the Youth Jazz Series will be presented over a two-day masterpiece showcase featuring the Youth Jazz soloists and School Jazz Bands.
The latter were selected by Keith Tabisher of the Western Cape Education Department.
This year’s project, directed by Head of Jazz Studies, UCT Associate Professor, vocalist and pianist Amanda Tiffin, encompassed Masterclass programmes where the young musicians learnt from those experienced in the industry.
This year’s selected participants comprise 14 young musicians who were auditioned to be part of the 2025 programme. They are: Andrea Martinez (vocals), Caleb Meyer (vocals), Sarah Pengilly (vocals), Cole Krieling (guitar), Dillon Poggepoel (bass), Micaela Hannibal (bass), Caleb Dlamini (piano), Aviwe Macutwana (trombone), Franco Von Wieligh (tenor saxophone), Zakhiel Davids (trumpet), Daniel Roux (guitar), Bruce Basson (piano), Kyle Damons (piano) and Ezra Smuts (drums).
This year, the programme received a significantly higher number of applications - more than 50% - compared to 2024.
Tiffin has been associated with the project for 11 years, and has been directing the Youth soloists showcase portion of the Artscape Youth Jazz Series since 2017.
This year, to celebrate 22 years of mentoring young jazz musicians, Tiffin has invited six individuals, both past and debutants, as mentors. Some have participated in the programme more than once and have all gone on to establish themselves as highly successful professional musicians, award winning recording artists, touring performers, musical directors, and dedicated educators while others will be making their debuts, such as Nomfundo Xaluva-Dyantyis (vocals), Mark Williams 2011 2012, 2014, 2025 (guitar), Marc De Kock (brass/sax), Brathew Van Schalkwyk 2017, 2025 (piano), Damian Kamineth 2017, 2021, 2025 (drums) and Chadleigh Gowar (bass).
The mentors will also perform as a band, and bring their talent and expertise to the Artscape stage in what promises to be a very special and sparkling edition of the Youth Jazz Series.
Artscape CEO Marlene le Roux said: “It fills my heart with joy every year when we present this production that proffers the Youth a professional platform to showcase their mettle. Their talent often astounds me. Artscape remains proud that through this programme we have positively contributed to the growth their careers in the professional environment as the future of the Arts lies in youth development which we are very passionate about”.
The project, made possible through the support of the City, launched in 2003, has gone through many different formats, and passed through the hands of some of Cape Town’s top jazz professionals and music legends, who have mentored young aspiring jazz artists annually.
It has also provided a major platform for young jazz musicians through mentorship, through the lasting connections made between young participants, and through the experience of performing on a major stage.
The Youth Jazz Series features the Youth Jazz soloists on June 13 and the School Jazz Bands on June 14.
Cape Times