The 23rd rendition of Artscape's Youth Jazz Series, a two-day celebration of young musical talent featuring soloists and school jazz bands on June 12 and 13.
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This year marks the 23rd rendition of one of Artscape’s annual flagship projects, the Youth Jazz Series, to be presented over a two-day masterpiece showcase featuring the Youth Jazz soloists on Friday, June 12 and the School Jazz Bands on Saturday, June 13.
The latter were selected by Keith Tabisher and Hugo Smuts of the Western Cape Department of Education. This year’s project, directed by Head of Jazz Studies at the University of Cape Town (UCT), Associate Professor, vocalist, and pianist Amanda Tiffin, encompassed Masterclass programmes in which the young musicians learnt from industry professionals.
The selected participants comprise 15 young musicians who were auditioned for the 2026 programme.
They are Connor Johnson(piano), Ethan Herman (drums), Eyo Nzazi (bass), Cole Krieling (guitar), Franco Von Wieligh (saxophone), Henco Bester (saxophone), Ryan Jacobs (bass), Sibabalwe Gobe-Gysman (vocals), Hlelo Zungu (vocals), Liam Petersen (drums), Mackenzie Hendricks (vocals), Michael de Goede (saxophone), Talicia Mariti (vocals), Zakhiel Davids (trumpet) and Kyle Damons (piano). The programme received a significantly higher number of applications (over 90%) than in 2025.
Amanda Tiffin has been associated with the project for 12 years and has been directing the Youth soloist’s showcase portion of the Artscape Youth Jazz Series since 2017. To celebrate 23 years of mentoring young jazz musicians, Tiffin has invited six individuals, both past and debutants, as mentors. Some have participated in the programme more than once and have all gone on to establish themselves as highly successful professional musicians, award winning recording artists, touring performers, musical directors, and dedicated educators while others will be making their debuts, such as Nomfundo Xaluva-Dyanty is 2025, 2026 (vocal), Bradley Prince (guitar), Marc De Kock (brass/sax), Brathew Van Schalkwyk 2017, 2025 (piano), Damian Kamineth 2017, 2021,2025, 2026 (drums) and Chadleigh Gowar 2025 (bass).
The mentors will also perform as a band, bringing their talent and expertise to the Artscape stage in what promises to be a very special and sparkling edition of the Youth Jazz Series.
The project, launched in 2003, has taken many forms and passed through the hands of some of Cape Town’s top jazz professionals and music legends, who have mentored young aspiring jazz artists annually.
Many of these young musicians have now gone on to establish themselves as successful professional musicians, recording artists and educators. It has also provided a major platform for young jazz musicians through mentorship, lasting connections among young participants, and the experience of performing on a major stage with extensive publicity.