With an immediate goal to encourage an appreciation for, and the study of, jazz and popular music in KwaZulu-Natal, this festival brings opportunity for sharing musical knowledge and skills in a variety of collaborative music making activities. The festival also aims to highlight the need to advocate for broader music education in schools in KwaZulu-Natal.

The festival starts with a concert on Friday, 18 May at 18:00 (CJPM) in collaboration with Young Guns (a new initiative to encourage, uncover and provide professional platforms for new school going music talent), featuring two exciting high school bands - Toxic Candy and The Sunshine. Sharing the stage with these and other bands will be young solo artists, UKZN jazz and popular music ensembles, followed by local band Sounds Good. The headliner for the evening is Durban-based eclectic band Gangs of Ballet, whose recently released self-titled EP is currently rocking the charts. Tickets are available at the door for R30/R10 (scholars and students).

A music workshop will be presented on Monday, 21 May. Facilitated by UKZN music lecturers, Neil Gonsalves and Debbie Mari, the workshop will introduce young musicians to the idea of improvisation and accompaniment/ensemble playing through exploring one, two and three chord song forms. Later the same evening, there will be a concert featuring the UKZN Big Band, UKZN Voices (close-harmony jazz vocal group), UKZN jazz and popular music ensembles and the Umlazi-based UC Jazz Ensemble. Top of the line-up will be the new groove-based, electric four-piece instrumental outfit, The Sir Walrus Band. Tickets are available at the door for R30/R10 (scholars and students).

Tuesday, 22 May will bring an international element to the festival with a concert featuring Paraguay Primeval, led by Canadian-based pianist and composer Carol Ann Weaver. Paraguay Primeval features vocalist Rebecca Campbell and Meaghan McCracken (flute). The band will also include some Durban guests in their line-up as they chronicle the experiences of Paraguay's Chaco and Germanic Mennonite immigrants. Sharing the stage for this concert will be selected UKZN music ensembles. Tickets are available at the door for R30/R10 (scholars and students), and the concert starts at 18:00.

The final concert will take place on Wednesday, 23 May at 18:00 and features senior students from the UKZN jazz studies programme under the guidance of Durban pianist and UKZN music lecturer Susan Barry. Tickets are available at the door for R30/R10 (scholars and students), and the concert starts at 18:00.

For enquiries, call 031 260 3385.