Montreux Jazz Festival launches first African edition in SA

The festival is held annually in Montreux, Switzerland, in early July along the shores of Lake Geneva. It is the world’s second-largest annual jazz festival, after the Montreal International Jazz Festival in Canada.

Africa’s inaugural edition, presented by Nedbank, will take place across two main performance venues: The Arches Main Stage at the monument and the intimate Jazz Village, located in a historic church in Franschhoek.

The inaugural programme blends global heavyweights with pioneering African voices and genre-crossing innovators, establishing the festival as a boutique, hospitality-focused event rooted in world-class artistry and cultural exchange.

“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,” Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek (MJFSA) founder Mark Goedvolk said. “Franschhoek also provides the perfect canvas to share something that is intimate, meaningful and globally resonant.”

The Arches main stage highlights

The opening night on Friday will feature The Kesivan amaBig Band Experience, led by South African drummer and composer Kesivan Naidoo, alongside performances by Brother Kujenga, Wet Wet Wet, and Irish electronic and art-pop innovator Róisín Murphy.

Saturday’s line-up includes The Ploemies and Friends, Billy Monama’s Guitar Convergence, Mandisi Dyantyis, Salif Keita, and Thandiswa Mazwai. Mercury Prize-winning UK jazz ensemble Ezra Collective will perform, and the night will close with a collaboration between Robert Glasper and Bilal from the United States.

Jazz Village programme

Friday at the Jazz Village will feature Madala Kunene & Sibusisle Xaba, Kesivan & The Lights with Swiss Africa Horns, Stacey Kent, and the Ramon Alexander Trio featuring Buddy Wells.

Saturday continues with performances by Kwanti Leeh!, Home at Last: A Tribute to Bheki Mseleku presented by Gareth Lockrane and Bokani Dyer, A Kind of Blue – a Miles Davis centenary celebration featuring Eddie Henderson, Javon Jackson, Donald Harrison, George Colligan, Buster Williams and Lenny White – and Msaki’s ENTROPY: The Heart as an Echo Chamber featuring Jesse Clegg. The Kyle Shepherd Trio will also perform.

The three-day festival concludes with a Sunday Slowdown along Huguenot Street. While the main stages will not be active, the event will feature un-ticketed music performances, public bars, food vendors, and a wine-down experience supported by local vignerons.