Cape Town International Jazz Festival Expands with Sundowner Sessions in Stellenbosch

As the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) builds toward its 23rd edition in 2026, the globally recognised event is extending its footprint beyond the main stage with one of its fastest-growing cultural platforms: the Van Ryn’s Jazzy Sundowner Sessions. The latest instalment, taking place on December 19 in Stellenbosch, puts the spotlight on Cape Town collective The Ploemies – one of the most compelling forces in South Africa’s contemporary jazz movement.

Led by bassist, composer and bandleader Shaun Johannes, The Ploemies have emerged as a standout act in the Western Cape’s live circuit, known for performances that blur the line between tradition and experimentation. Earlier this year, the group released Unfinished Business, an eight-track, 49-minute project that traces their artistic evolution while honouring Cape Jazz lineage. The album weaves local South African idioms with pan-African rhythms such as Ghoema, Marabenta and Kwassa-Kwassa, positioning the band within a broader continental dialogue that continues to influence global jazz narratives.

Set against the backdrop of the Stellenbosch Winelands, the Sundowner Sessions offer a more intimate counterpoint to CTIJF’s regular-scale programming. For the festival, the ongoing partnership with Van Ryn’s Distillery reflects a strategic commitment to year-round artist development creating spaces, where emerging and established acts can connect directly with audiences while building sustainable momentum outside the festival weekend.

“The Van Ryn’s Jazzy Sundowner Sessions are more than just a monthly gig—it’s the perfect summer activity,” says CTIJF co-director Georgia Jones. “It’s an intimate setting that truly celebrates our own incredible local talent and creates another opportunity to listen to great music, eat and drink well, and experience the unique atmosphere of the Cape Winelands.”

Following a successful previous edition featuring Chadleigh Gowar, the Sessions have quickly become a key fixture on the region’s summer live-music calendar, reinforcing CTIJF’s role as both a tastemaker and incubator within South Africa’s music ecosystem.

Tickets for the event are available via Howler and include entry, live music and a picnic experience. The venue operates on a fully cashless basis, with food and beverages available for purchase.

As CTIJF moves closer to its 23rd edition, the Van Ryn’s Jazzy Sundowner Sessions signal the festival’s forward-looking vision: deeper community engagement, broader cultural reach, and a continued commitment to amplifying South African jazz on a global stage.

IOL