Cape Town musician Jonathan Rubain attended his first Cape Town Jazzathon as a young boy sitting in the audience hoping to one day brace the stage.
Fast forward to over two decades later, he not only realised this dream, but this year got to direct and produce the “Gospel according to Jazzathon” segment of the annual ‘People’s Festival’.
The event, which started on Friday 9 and wrapped up on Sunday 11 January, saw dozens of aspiring and well-known artists take to the V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre stage.
Capetonians attended to enjoy the soulful sounds from artist across the Western Cape.
The event this year marked its 29th anniversary and continues to create a platform for artists to showcase their talent.
Rubain told People’s Post he was 20 years old when he made his Cape Town Jazzathon debut.
“This is a big deal for me. When I come to this festival it’s nostalgic, when I walk on that stage I am reminded to the time when I was sitting in the audience hoping and praying that I would one day be on that stage.”
He encouraged artists to believe in themselves.
Singing sensation Artist Talitha Luiters had the crowd cheering with her vocal tunes. Photos: Kaylynne Bantom 
Guitarist Chadleigh Gowar enthralled the audience. 
Lee Gosper from Athlone has been attending for over 20 years. 
Calvin Otto, Charmaine Jacobs and Nicolette Athony enjoyed the festivities. 
Trumper Muneeb Herman and Saxophonist Esihle Valela.
“Nothing is impossible. I come from Hanover Park and have achieved some great things in life. Whatever you are dreaming about is all in your hands and with God. If you don’t push your talent it is not going to happen.”
Patrons were treated to performances by among other The Artscape Youth Jazz Band, Alistair Izobell, Euphonious Joint, Saint Clair, The Cape Horns, Chadleigh Gowar and Bongani Sotshononda.
Craig Parks, festival director, said patrons were treated to seven bands per day, each performing for 45 minutes. He said over 100 artists took to the stage throughout the weekend.
“The festival remains relevant because it belongs to the people. This year I brought back some of the jazz masters and mixed them up with some younger talent.”
He said the event is more than just a show but seeks to develop aspiring talent.
“The festival is a culmination of all our activities throughout the year. We do workshops in various areas including rural and urban.
“We do this to find talents and get professional musicians to work with them, we then bring them to the Jazzathon stage to showcase them.”
The festival is supported by the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport and is known as the longest-running music festival in the country.
Ricardo Mackenzie, provincial minister of cultural affairs and sport, described the show as a powerful platform for youth development, job creation and the continued growth of the cultural and creative industries in the Western Cape.
Regular festivalgoer, Lee Gosper from Athlone said he’s been attending for over 20 years.
“I sit right in front. That has been my spot for the past twenty years. People don’t know the amazing talent that we have. I started following artists because I saw them on this stage.”
Parks expressed his gratitude to everyone who made the event possible.
