A feast of jazz on offer at Maynardville Open-Air Festival in January

Music lovers are in for a treat when the Maynardville Open-Air Festival kicks off in January.

The iconic outdoor venue in Cape Town is presenting a feast of jazz across genres and styles.

Amy MacIver chats to music producer Wessel Odendaal and pianist Charl du Plessis of the Charl du Plessis Trio, who are featured on the bill.

Odendaal explains that the idea for a focus on jazz was sparked by Maynardville's 2026 Shakespeare offering (30 January-8 March), which sees director Steven Stead give the Bard's "Twelfth Night" a 1960s treatment in a "Fellini-inspired" setting.

"We figured that a jazz thread going through the entire festival would really work... and post-COVID the jazz element to the Festival hasn't happened. This is so fitting - what better in the summer than to come to this beautiful park, have a glass of wine and listen to some really beautiful jazz tunes."

Du Plessis says he's excited to experience the venue, having to admit that he has never actually been to Maynardville before.

"But I think the fact that people can go and make a big social outing of an event is a really big plus. Also, with the type of programme they've put together, I think it's so nice to offer audiences completely contrasting artists and content."

The programme really does offer jazz lovers the full range, echoes Odendaal - from "hardcore" to more traditional jazz, and the involvement of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO).

Along with Cape Town's top jazz artists, it of course also features the international, Johannesburg-based Charl du Plessis Trio.

"What is going to make it a success is really the offering of world-class musicians that will be performing", reiterates Odendaal.

Shades of Blue, an evening of jazz-infused classical chamber music, takes place on 13 January.

Next is Jazz in the Park, featuring a repertoire of contemporary and classic jazz compositions, on 14 and 15 January.

From 16-17 January, the Cape Town Philharmonic brings you old favourites like Gershwin’s "I got Rhythm" and a selection from Bernstein’s "West Side Story".

The series is sure to be a sell-out, so grab your spot while you still can!

Tickets are available from Quicket.

To listen to Wessel Odendaal and Charl du Plessis in conversation with Amy MacIver on CapeTalk's Weekend Breakfast, click on the audio link below: