Update: Read more about the Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2009.

It’s a tradition that Capetonians have come to look forward to, The Cape Town International Jazz Festival ‘Free Community Concert’ on Greenmarket Square.

espAFRIKA, the organisers of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival has staged this free concert for the people of Cape Town a day or so prior to the main festival.

This year the free concert will again be held in the lovely confines of Greenmarket Square, in the heart of the city, and the concert will take place on Wednesday 26 March, from 5 pm till 10 pm.

The free concert offers a great evening of jazz and jazz fusions for all those Cape Town music fans who may not be able to attend the two nights at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, as well as those fans who do have tickets but still wouldn’t miss this annual festival ‘warm-up’.

As the free concert on Greenmarket Square starts at 17h00, it will encourage many city workers to remain in the city after work that day, avoiding that heavy homeward-bound traffic.

They will join many music fans who will be coming into the city to experience the vibe of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in the Square with its many busy pubs, restaurants, and hotels, and some great jazz echoing off the surrounding historic buildings.

The artists appearing at this year’s concert will be, UCT BIG BAND (13 piece), Jonathan Rubain, Ananda Project, Gerald Albright and Jimmy Dludlu.

It promises to be a diverse, exciting and entertaining bill. Each artist will perform for approximately 30 minutes, and the show is expected to finish at 10 pm.

The UCT BIG BAND (13 piece) has been a training ground for some of South Africa’s top jazz and popular music artists, including Selaelo Selota, Buddy Wells, Kesivan Naidoo, Judith Sephuma, Marcus Wyatt, Nontuthuzelo Puoane, Jimmy Dludlu and many other young professionals who are contributing to the music world both here and abroad.

Jonathan Rubain from Hanover Park is only 21 but he is already the bass player of preference for legends such as Mac McKenzie and Alvin Dyers.

He featured on the Goema Captains of Cape Town debut album Healing Destination. Jonathon first appeared at Oppiestoep to great acclaim.

Ananda Project - Since their inception in 1998 with the seminal Cascades of Colour EP, Ananda Project has steadily cultivated a dynamic tour-de-force that is accessible in the clubs and beyond.

It’s the brainchild of internationally acclaimed producer / composer / remixer and DJ Chris Brann.

Gerald Albright Born in Los Angeles, Gerald Albright began with piano, moved to saxophone and then switched to bass guitar.

Immediately after college, Albright began to master his talent by working extensively in the studio with such artists as Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Jr., The Temptations, and Olivia Newton-John.

Jimmy Dludlu needs no introduction. One of Africa’s greatest guitarists, Jimmy has performed all over the world and has enjoyed rave reviews, for both his talent as an ‘axe man’ and his song writing ability, wherever he has played.

Read more about the Special Trains and two for one train tickets in the Event Feature on the Free Concert on Greenmarket Square.

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