The 8th Annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival, acknowledged as the biggest event on the African continent, is the one weekend of the year when music lovers from all over South Africa and abroad descend on Cape Town for the music event that is not to be missed.

The 8th annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival takes place on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st March at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

Affectionately known as Africa's Grandest Gathering, this multi-stage event enables its organisers, espAFRIKA, to promote all genres within jazz and jazz-related performances, bringing together a dazzling bill of 40 local and international artists performing in five different venues to a diverse audience.

Artists already confirmed include soul-jazz diva Randy Crawford, jazz legend Joe Sample, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Sibongile Khumalo and Jack DeJohnette, Intercontinental with Danilo Perez, Jerome Harris, Byron Wallen and Jason Yarde, The Caribbean Jazz Project feat. Paquito D'Rivera, and many more.

Randy Crawford's return to the Cape Town International Jazz Festival stage will be welcomed by her many SA fans. For more than three decades she has traversed a musical spectrum that ranges from jazz and soul to R&B and pop.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo is the Grammy Award winning, South African a cappella singing group that represents the traditional culture of South Africa.

Sibongile Khumalo is the acclaimed South African diva who's soulful and dynamic performances have enchanted diverse audiences across South Africa and abroad.

Jack De Johnette is widely regarded as one of jazz music's greatest drummers and he has collaborated with many major figures in jazz history.

Jerome Harris has won international recognition as one of the more versatile and penetrating stylists of his generation on both guitar and bass guitar.

Byron Wallen is one of the most dynamic and versatile jazz voices currently on the British scene and has performed with rap outfits such as The Roots, Digable Planets and Us3. Jason Yarde, currently based in the UK, is a multi-talented composer, arranger, producer, musical director and saxophonist who composes across a variety of styles.

Bev Scott-Brown is a much sought-after South African session singer with premier SA acts including Late Final and the Jonny Cooper Orchestra.

The Caribbean Jazz Project, features 3 well known artists - clarinet and saxophone sensation Paquito D'Rivera, vibraphonist Dave Samuels, best known for his work with Spyro Gyra, and steel drum exponent Andy Narell.

The Rudimentals are paving the way to a new South African sound. They have blended the essential, tried and trusted elements of Ska with both rural and urban African music.

Hilton Schilder is the highly regarded South African jazz pianist who is a member of the illustrious musical Schilder family, as well as a founder member of the legendary Cape Jazz group, The Geniuses.

Tortured Soul is music that will move you. It's a new concept in the world of house music: it's live. The instrumentation is simple and organic.

EspAfrika will be releasing more names as they become available, but even at this early stage with artists of the caliber already confirmed, the line-up for the Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2007 ensures it will be another outstanding event.

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