The first 19 artists that will be performing at Cape Town's ninth annual Jazz festival in 2008 have been announced.
Home grown talent such as Tutu Puoane, Zola and the Bongani Sotshononda Project will be joined by legends such as the Kenny Barron trio, Gerald Albright and Tierney Sutton.
Eager fans are still awaiting the announcement of the final 21 artists performing at the five-stage, two-day event taking place on March 28th and 29th 2008.
Last year's festival saw former Miles Davis sideman Jack DeJohnette perform alongside South African vocalist Sibongile Khumalo, with other star acts including Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Randy Crawford and Joe Sample.
The line up looks set to establish Cape Town's Jazz festival as the pre-eminent South African event prior to the country hosting the World Cup in 2010.
Michael Rossi, professor of jazz at UCT's College of Music told Johannesburg's Business Day that the two-day event was "not just music performance, but also jazz education".
