The 27th edition of Standard Bank Joy of Jazz took place on 25 and 26 September 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, drawing more than 50 artists from South Africa and other countries. The programme paired established jazz traditions with contemporary African sounds.
Lineup and stage format#
The two-day event ran across four stages: Dinaledi, Diphala, Conga and Mbira. Audiences moved between venues throughout the programme.
The line-up included:
- Angélique Kidjo
- Judith Sephuma
- Thandiswa Mazwai
- Nubya Garcia
- Floetry
- Tank and the Bangas
- Ola Onabulé
- The Brother Moves On
- DJ Castro
The programme connected different generations of musicians and audiences. Established artists performed alongside younger and experimental acts, while jazz intersected with neo-soul, Afro-jazz, house, Afro-rock and other contemporary styles.
Youth programme and historical context#
In July, the Jazz for Young People (J4YP) programme was held at the National School of the Arts in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. Curated by singer-songwriter Msaki in partnership with the Fetch Your Life Foundation, the initiative provided mentorship, educational activities and skills development for young creatives from underserved communities.
The 2026 edition also marked 50 years since the 1976 Soweto Uprising and 70 years since the 1956 Women’s March, connecting the current programme to two moments in South African history.
Second night highlights#
The festival’s second night featured performances by Kidjo, Floetry, Garcia, Onabulé and Mazwai, among others.
Kidjo performed in Johannesburg after recently receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her set overlapped with Floetry’s on another stage, so attendees had to choose between the two headline performances and moved between the four venues.
Live musicianship was central throughout the evening, with bands performing alongside the featured artists rather than relying solely on recorded backing tracks. Audience participation, including singing and responses to performers, became part of several performances.
Mazwai closed the second night and brought the festival’s historical themes into her performance. She also paid tribute to South African jazz musician Hugh Masekela.
Earlier in the programme, Khaya Mahlangu paid tribute to jazz pioneer Kippi Moeketsi, linking the current generation of performers with musicians who helped shape South Africa’s jazz tradition.
Competition and closing#
The festival’s programming also included the #JazzReignited DJ Search competition. Its winner, Jazz Maestro Sbu, joined acts such as The Brother Moves On and DJ Castro on the line-up.
Across the two days, Joy of Jazz presented a mix of established and emerging musicians while using its four-stage format to expose audiences to different approaches to jazz and related African music styles. The 2026 edition closed with a programme that placed contemporary performances alongside historical references and continued the festival’s role as a platform for artist development, cultural exchange and live music in South Africa.
