In addition to ensuring the choice of listening to 40 bands on five stages, the festival’s organisers have put together four concept bands specifically assembled for the event.

One of the unique collaborations is a concept act featuring drummer Denver Furness, pianist Nick Williams, and bassist Wesley Rustin.

Guests will include saxophonist Buddy Wells, pianist Mike Perry, guitarist Errol Dyers, trumpeter Ian Smith and singer Sylvia Mdunyelwa. They will play tunes like Montreal, Harold’s Bossa and Crossroads.

Conversations with drummer Kevin Gibson, bassist Victor Masondo and trumpeter/conductor Prince Lengoasa plus pianist Mark Fransman and saxman Donvino Prins is another concept project.

Drummer Cindy Blackman-Santana and her quartet Another Lifetime will pay tribute with Felix Pastorius (son of Jaco Pastorius) to fusion pioneer/drummer Tony Williams and his groundbreaking band Lifetime

Drummer Lee-Roy Sauls will team up with Hugh Masekela, Larry Willis, and Victor Masondo. Masekela will play music that inspired him to record 'Almost Like Being In Jazz', an album which consisted of jazz standards taken from the American songbook.

Other artists added to the Cape Town International Jazz Festival line-up are Earth Wind & Fire, Esperanza Spalding, Wayne Shorter Quartet with John Patitucci (featuring Brian Blade on drums) nd Youssou N’dour.

More info at capetownjazzfest.com Festival tickets are R365 to R499. Call Computicket at 083 915 8000.