Call for applications: Cape Town International Jazz Festival

The deadline for entries is 22 September 2017. The winner of the competition will perform at next year’s Cape Town International Jazz Festival, which takes place from 23 to 24 March. Past winners of the competition include Lana Crowster and VuDu.

“We’re looking for undiscovered gems with raw talent and the full package to join our line-up and rub shoulders with musical heavyweights,” the espAfrika website reads. “Bands with high performance standards, quality of musicianship and a strong focus on pushing their career forward are welcome to apply.”

How to apply

To apply complete the application form along with the following compulsory material:

• One or more links to your online video performances or sound clips
• A full band biography
• A hi-res band photo (no more than 2MB)
• Include as many links of your band as possible (this can include websites, reviews, performances etc.)
• Remember to save your biography and photos labelled with your band name

If your entry is successful and in line with the requirements, you will receive an automated response via email within 48 hours of your submission. Your entry will be judged by quality and strength of performance as well as the style of your performance and how it fits in with the line-up for #CTIJF2018.

The band must be able to perform a 45-minute set that may include original and/or cover songs. Entries will be screened by the espYoungLegends listening committee who will select the top 20 finalists. The top 20 finalists will be posted on the espAfrika website on 10 October 2017. The public can then vote for their favourite top 10 bands via a voting poll.

The top 10 will be notified via email prior to the announcement and loaded onto the website on Tuesday 17 October 2017. The espYoungLegends listening committee will then vote for their favourite top five bands. The top five finalists will be posted on espAfrika website on 24 October 2017. Each finalist will be notified via email prior to the official announcement.

EspYoungLegends, which is now in its third year, continues to attract exceptional South African musical talent. The competition is aimed at providing a spot in the limelight for unsigned, jazz-inspired bands of two to six members.

For more information about this call, e-mail Bev Scott Brown at bev@espafrika.com