27/09/2026
One of the notable takeaways from the Joy of Jazz this past weekend was seeing how the festival experience continued to take shape as the weekend unfolded. There was a sense of attentiveness, with adjustments made along the way to ensure that the focus remained where it belonged; on the music and the experience around it. That responsiveness is always worth acknowledging.
Now, let’s shift to the music…
The plan for Day 2 was clear in terms of which acts we wanted to see since at a festival of this magnitude, one simply cannot see them all.
Ziza Muftic’s “Singing in Tongues” was a testament to the musical identity she has become known for: intimate, clear and harmonious. No surprises there, just beautifully realised music.
Then came Tumi Mogorosi and the Thank You For Your Service Quartet. A revolutionary and provocative performance, amplified by an approach to playing the changes that was both expressive and compelling, while remaining unmistakably rooted in the quartet’s identity.
Having promised ourselves the previous day that we would spend some time at the MoAfrika Jazz Boutique, we had to make room for a crate digging session. We were overwhelmed by the range of projects available, even knowing beforehand that our pockets would never allow us to take everything home! We took what we could and, perhaps more importantly, finally met brothers with whom we have been virtually connected throughout our jazz-digging journey.
Floetry delivered an edgy and powerful performance that reaffirmed their enduring popularity locally, backed by those world-famous sing-along jams. We expected nothing less.
And then came Ndabo Zulu & Umgidi Ensemble, alongside Dalisu Ndlazi, Dr Nduduzo Makhathini, Sphelelo Mazibuko, Linda Sikhakhane, Gontse Makhene, Simon Manana, Pharas Dlamini and Muneyi.
What followed was a performance for the ages.
This one deserves a review of its own. For now, words simply cannot capture the joy, depth and gratitude their music offered us.
To sum it all up, the festival gave us an experience we would gladly revisit for many more years to come.
Re leboga go menagane.
— Jazz Collect
