Abidjan Capital of Jazz Festival returns for third edition in April

According to festival organisers, the event will be hosted at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan, with additional performances scheduled in the Koumassi neighbourhood and the provincial city of Bouaflé. Festival coordinator Isabelle Nelly Ossey stated that the aim is to introduce jazz to areas where the genre is less commonly heard.

A celebration of music and cultural heritage

In a statement, Ossey described the festival as a “unique and immersive experience”, featuring a diverse programme of concerts, panel discussions, and artistic performances. She emphasised the cultural significance of music in Côte d’Ivoire, calling it “a vector of cultural identity and a tool for social cohesion.”

Organisers highlighted that this year’s festival will focus on Ivorian cultural heritage, particularly by integrating jazz with Zaouli, a traditional dance from the Marahoué region that is recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The theme for 2025, Zaouli: Cultural Heritage and a Factor of Social Cohesion, reflects the festival’s commitment to cultural dialogue. Ossey said the theme allows the event to expand into the Marahoué region, honouring the dance and sharing its significance with the world.

“This edition aims to create a bridge between tradition and modernity by associating jazz, a symbol of freedom and openness, with Zaouli, a living expression of Ivorian heritage,” organisers stated. They believe this fusion will engage a wider audience and promote discussions on how to valorise cultural traditions through contemporary arts.

Spotlight on women in jazz

A significant highlight of this year’s festival is the Women in Jazz platform, which celebrates the power, creativity, and leadership of women in jazz and African music. Introduced in the previous edition, the initiative seeks to amplify female voices in a male-dominated industry by providing a stage for expression, inspiration, and cross-cultural collaboration.

This year’s stellar line-up includes Mary Anibal (Zimbabwe), Rhemma (Ghana), Sante Divine (Côte d’Ivoire), Jahelle Bonoe (Côte d’Ivoire) and Ayidissa (Côte d’Ivoire).

Organisers describe the showcase as “a celebration of cultural richness, empowerment, and a musical journey led by women redefining jazz on their own terms.”

International collaboration and industry development

The festival will also feature an international collaboration with a delegation of cultural professionals from Canada, who will explore the Ivorian music market, engage with local industry players, and develop artistic and professional partnerships. This initiative, led by festival partner Blazé Col Consulting, aims to strengthen ties between African and North American cultural industries.

Beyond performances, the event will include conferences and panel discussions on jazz and Ivorian heritage, music workshops and masterclasses to train young jazz talents, open-air jazz concerts across Abidjan to introduce the genre to local communities and jazz for kids programmes to nurture the next generation of musicians.

Among other notable artists participating in the festival are Santé Hiol (Côte d’Ivoire), Ayefi Brass Band (Côte d’Ivoire), Eli Koffi Amewode (Ghana), and Nativ Afrik Band (Ghana).

Oswald Kouamé’s vision for Jazz in Africa

Oswald Kouamé, a renowned percussionist and musicologist, is the founder of the Abidjan Capital of Jazz Festival. Through this platform, he seeks to promote musical diversity and nurture emerging talent on the African jazz scene. His dedication to preserving and advancing African cultural heritage has made him a leading figure in Côte d’Ivoire’s artistic landscape.

Supported by UNESCO, the Ministry of Culture and Francophonie, the Ministry of Communication, and other prestigious partners, the festival continues to grow as a premier cultural event in West Africa.