AN eclectic horde comprising of the old and new cohort of local musicians, members of the Fourth Estate, white collar types and socialites beat the after work hours path to Joburg’s new jazz establishment Hugh’s, in Braamfontein, for the programme reveal of the 2026 iteration of the annual Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival, on Wednesday evening.
An exclusive per invitation affair, dressed up guests were transported by elevators manned by affable ushers, right up to the thirteenth floor rooftop of a skyscraper hyped on the invitation as redefining boundaries of the continent’s premier luxury lifestyle property, for welcome drinks and snacks.
Amidst banter and bow-tied waiters roaming among tables with platters of comestibles, the electric harp sound of Jude Harpstar entertained guests before they’d be summoned indoors to a space named after Hugh Masekela, for a brief formal programme where this year’s spring lineup was announced.
The invite – which the commissioned publicity agency accompanied with a chic Style Guide – teased that it wasn’t just a festival announcement, but an unveiling of an aspirational world where sophistication meets cultural depth.
And dressed to the nines attendees did.
Among them was Masekela’s daughter, Motlalepula Twala, who buoyantly smiled from ear to ear while equally giving and receiving hugs from sundry acquaintances ranging from T-Musicman honcho Peter Tladi and his wife Jane, to the Standard Bank’s Head of Brand Experience, Yolisa Koza and radio presenter’s Non Botha and Nicky B.
When a brief light drizzle began pelting attendees mingling on the rooftop, veteran presenter Shado Twala inevitably remarked to her, ” Masekela ke eo“, in apt reference to the name of a familiar song dedicated to the younger lady by the late trumpeter.
A while later having moved inside a space decorated with one of her dad’s trumpets as well as a series of portraits, it appeared as if Twala owned the space as she lapped the limelight of the occasion!
Present too were seasoned musicians, Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse and Stephen Dyer – to the younger cohort currently hogging the headlines such as the recent recipient of the Standard Bank Young Artist award, viz Gabi Motuba, partner Tumi Mogorosi, Judith Sephuma, as well as numerous upcoming stars.
Programme director, actress Lerato Mvelase got the ball rolling by introducing acapella outfit iCommissioned onto the podium to perform.
The quartet was followed by poet Lebo Mashile who narrated on the trumpeter’s relationship with the festival’s initiator Tladi, while an image of the duo was displayed on the screen. “Friendship is architecture,” she recited.
Before the lineups of international artists due to perform at the 27th iteration of the popular rendezvous were beamed onto a huge screen to rapturous applause which emanated particularly from selected musicians who were keenly watching on!
Split into four groups scheduled to perform on the four stages of the Sandton Convention Centre over four days later in the year, as at previous stagings of the music fest, the roster comprises of performers from the Americas and Europe to Asia, and Africa – with a substantial number hailing from South Africa.
From the USA’s Floetry, the UK’s Nubya Garcia, France’s Anais Rosso to Benin’s Angelique Kidjo, Canada’s Lorraine Klaasen and South Africa’s Thandiswa Mazwai, et al – the lineup reflects a curation guaranteed to wow music lovers, come September!
Unveiled on the eve of International Jazz Day, the Festival Director of the upcoming event, viz T-Musicman CEO Joyce Chinoamadi exclaimed regarding what lay instore: “You’ll see collaborative experiences” – no doubt in reference to acts such as Liberian-French’s Ibrahim Maalouf and The Trumpets of Michel-Ange and South Africa’s Themba Mkhize & Afrika Mkhize.
Tickets are available via Ticketmaster:
R1 150 – Friday/Saturday Day Pass, General Admission
R2 250 – Weekend Pass | Friday and Saturday
Top Image Jacob MAWELA( Peter Tladi of T-Musicman limned conversing with Standard Bank’s Kate Johns at the programme announcement for the 2026 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, at Hugh’s in Braamfontein.)
