What Is Jazz?

On Sunday, 22 March, a bold new “mini” music festival titled What Is Jazz? arrives at Texas, a multi-purpose courtyard space in the heart of District Six. Jazz, after all, is as much a state of mind as it is a musical form. It is freedom of expression. Improvisation. Experimentation. A conversation between past and future. That ethos shapes this genre-fluid lineup—four boundary-pushing artists whose work draws from a jazz consciousness while moving seamlessly across folk, indigenous music, alternative soundscapes, and spiritual performance. What is Jazz is presented by Jazz in the City, in association with Other Village People. Desire Marea The genre-defying, multi-disciplinary artist and sangoma from KwaZulu-Natal returns to Cape Town for the first time in over a year. Known for transcendent live performances that blur the lines between ritual, avant-garde pop, and spiritual jazz expression, Desire Marea embodies the freedom at the heart of this festival. Muneyi Hailing from Venda, Muneyi’s angelic voice and poetic folk storytelling evoke ancestral memory and emotional depth. His sound is intimate yet expansive—rooted in tradition, yet resonant with contemporary jazz sensibility. Mishy Kope An emerging star on the alternative folk scene, Mishy Kope brings textured songwriting and an arresting stage presence that speaks to a new generation of sonic explorers. Sky Dladla A master percussionist and indigenous music practitioner, Sky Dladla delves deep into her Xhosa roots. Her rhythmic storytelling channels heritage, healing, and improvisation—core tenets of jazz in its purest form. A DJ will round out the experience, carrying audiences into the late afternoon with a carefully curated set.