Jazz in the Native Yards is more than a performance platform; it’s a movement reshaping the sonic landscape of South Africa’s townships. Born in the heart of Gugulethu and resonating across Langa, Khayelitsha, and beyond, our nomadic curation brings world-class jazz into everyday community spaces. From street corners to cultural centers, we pioneer sounds that echo both tradition and transformation, grounding global jazz in local soil.

Every note tells a story. Our stages host seasoned virtuosos and rising talents alike, artists whose technical brilliance and emotional depth stir the soul. At Jazz in the Native Yards, musical mastery is not just about skill; it’s about storytelling, connection, and legacy. We create spaces where musicians meet their moment, whether under township skies or in the intimacy of venues like Alliance Française, the Cape CBD, and the Winelands.

Rooted in African rhythm, open to the world, our sound lives at the crossroads of heritage and innovation. Jazz in the Native Yards celebrates artistic fusion, blending traditional jazz with township grooves, soul, funk, and improvisation. It’s a sound born of collaboration: musicians, audiences, and neighborhoods creating something new together, night after night.

We bring the vibe alive with rhythm, spirit, and soul. Whether it’s a Sunday session in Gugulethu or an evening showcase in Stellenbosch, Jazz in the Native Yards pulses with the energy of the people. It’s more than music it’s a feeling, a gathering, a movement. Come for the jazz. Stay for the vibe.