26th Joy of Jazz festival to give fans thrilling 3-day experience

As preparations for the opening of the 26th Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival on Friday are underway, South African jazz artist Siya Makuzeni says people should be prepared to be spoiled for choice.

More than 60 class artists are expected to entertain crowds at the Sandton Convention Centre over the three-day festival.

Makuzeni advises people to carefully plan which performances they want to see, to avoid disappointment.

Jazz lovers in Joburg will be treated to a variety of artists from more than 15 countries over the next three days.

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Some artists have shared with EWN that the event is about more than just music, but a reflection of society and an expression of different cultures.

Many sharedthe sentiment that jazz is an intrinsic part of humanity in its truest form.

Siya Makhuzeni said she hopes the audience will travel with her on the musical journey.

"And maybe this is a way for them to kind of bring them into my lounge, right, but bring them also into my mind. And so it was a tricky balance in knowing that I also want to find myself having fun, right, and not feel that I'm maybe limited to creating a set that is full of music that they know, that maybe my audience will trust me in being able to also come with us in terms of the new journey with the new music."

The festival opens this evening and will run until Sunday night.