Historic Montreux Jazz Festival debuts in Franschhoek with global and local stars

The first-ever Montreux Jazz Festival on African soil opened in Franschhoek, a picturesque village in the Western Cape known for its vineyards and mountains. This landmark event brought together international and local artists in a celebration of music and culture, blending the heritage of the renowned Swiss festival with South Africa’s creative spirit. The opening day saw Scottish group Wet Wet Wet perform their iconic 1990s hit in the shadow of the Huguenot monument, setting the tone for a line-up that featured diverse acts like US crooner Matt Hansen, local powerhouse Thandiswa Mazwai, Armenian jazz maestro Tigran Hamasyan, and Irish singer Róisin Murphy. Salif Keita’s absence, due to sudden illness, was felt, but the atmosphere remained energetic.

Festival co-founder Mark Goedvolk highlighted the shared charm between Montreux and Franschhoek, describing both as small yet iconic towns with rich natural beauty and a growing musical identity. The event coincided with the longstanding Cape Town International Jazz Festival, but still drew an elite crowd that included deputy president Paul Mashatile, business leaders, and celebrities like Sarah Langa. Off-stage events, including Nedbank’s Private Wealth Party at Klein Goederust and Gallo Music’s Vinyl & Cigars gathering, added glamour to the weekend. A standout performance by singer-trumpeter Mandisi Dyantyis reminded audiences why jazz transcends trends and generations, blending faith, rhythm, and emotion into a uniquely South African expression of the global festival’s legacy.