Celebrating 22 Years of Music Mentorship at Artscape's Youth Jazz Series

The Mother City’s performing arts centre celebrates 22 years of music mentorship with its annual flagship project, the Artscape Youth Jazz Series.

They will be celebrating over a two-day masterpiece showcase featuring the youth jazz soloists at the Artscape Theatre on Friday June 13 and the school jazz bands on Saturday June 14.

The bands were selected by Keith Tabisher of the Western Cape Department of Education.

This year’s Artscape’s annual flagship project was directed by the head of jazz studies at the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) associate professor, vocalist and pianist, Amanda Tiffin, encompassing masterclass programmes where the young musicians learned from those experienced in the industry.

Marlene le Roux, Artscape chief executive officer (CEO), said: “It fills my heart with joy every year when we present this production that offers the youth a professional platform to showcase their mettle. 

“Their talent often astounds me! Artscape remains proud that through this programme, we have positively contributed to the growth of their careers in the professional environment as the future of the arts lies in youth development which we are very passionate about,” she said.

This year’s selected participants include 14 young musicians who were auditioned to be part of the 2025 programme. 

They are vocalists Andrea Martinez, Caleb Meyer, Sarah Pengilly; guitarists Cole Krieling, Daniel Roux; bassists Dillon Poggepoel, Micaela Hannibal; pianists Caleb Dlamini, Bruce Basson, Kyle Damons; trombone player Aviwe Macutwana; tenor saxophonist Franco Von Wieligh, trumpeter Zakhiel Davids and on drums Ezra Smuts.

This year, the programme received a significantly higher number of applications, more than double the number of applications compared to last year. 

Ms Tiffin has been associated with the project for 11 years and has been directing the youth soloists’ showcase portion of the Artscape Youth Jazz Series since 2017. 

This year, she 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 vocalist Nomfundo Xaluva-Dyantyis, guitarist Mark Williams performed in 2011, 2012, 2014 and this year, bassist and saxophonist Marc De Kock, pianist Brathew Van Schalkwyk in 2017 and this year, on drums Damian Kamineth in 2017, 2021 and this year and debutant bassist Chadleigh Gowar. 

The mentors will also perform as a band and bring 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, which is made possible with the support of the City of Cape Town, has gone through many different formats 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, through the lasting connections made between young participants, and through the experience of performing on a major stage, with extensive publicity.

For tickets and more information, including wheelchair and people with disability access requirements, call Artscape Dial-a-seat on 021 421 7695 or visit www.artscape.co.za.