Local luminaries, global greats: Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek reveals new artists

The first African edition of Switzerland’s legendary Montreux Jazz Festival is coming to the Cape Winelands. TheMontreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek, presented by Nedbank, will make its historic debut from March 27 to 29. Organisers of the boutique-lifestyle festival have unveiled the second wave of artists joining the line-up, performing across the two main venues — The Arches and the Jazz Village — with additional shows along the “Montreux Mile” on Huguenot Street.

Blending global heavyweights, pioneering African voices, genre-defying innovators and rising talent, the programme offers audiences a chance to discover new sounds while celebrating jazz’s enduring legacy. “Bringing the Montreux Jazz Festival to Africa has never been about replication — it has been about re-imagining what this legendary platform can become when rooted in African creativity, excellence and storytelling,“ says Mark Goedvolk, Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek founder. “Nedbank is proud to support a platform that places African artistry at the centre of a global cultural conversation,” adds Buli Ndlovu, executive head of Personal and Private Banking Marketing at Nedbank.

“Music has the power to unite, inspire and uplift, and this festival reflects our commitment to investing in initiatives that create shared value for artists, audiences and communities.” Performances at The Arches, the festival’s main outdoor stage (near the Huguenot Monument), will take place from lunchtime to midnight on Friday March 27 and Saturday March 28. Already announced as one of opening night’s headline acts,The Kesivan amaBig Band Experience, led by South African drummer and composer Kesivan Naidoo, reimagines amapiano through an international 26-piece acoustic jazz ensemble. Saturday opens withThe Ploemies and Friends, a joyous, groove-led collective rooted in Cape jazz traditions, community spirit and improvisation. Other exciting new additions to the line-up include: Jazz lovers will also be treated to performances by these previously announced acts: