Journey to Jazz 2026: Explore Jazz in the Heart of Prince Albert

The Journey to Jazz festival, held by the Prince Albert Community Trust, is a yearly celebration of music and community upliftment. The celebration features live performances, music masterclasses, local cuisine, stargazing, sunrise yoga and more. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 edition of the festival.

About Journey to Jazz

Journey to Jazz is a true Karoo festival celebrating the rich history, art, and natural beauty of Prince Albert. Set at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains, the intimate event features local and international artists performing across the town. Visitors enjoy music, masterclasses, local cuisine, stargazing, sunrise yoga, and time exploring the Wolvekraal conservancy.

A project of the Prince Albert Community Trust, Journey to Jazz showcases the talent and dedication of local youth who crew the festival and who have been trained in hospitality, event management, and media. It’s a heartfelt celebration of community and culture, welcoming guests to the true spirit of the Karoo.

The Prince Albert Community Trust is a non-profit organisation, focused on empowering children and youth, from early childhood development to entering the workforce. Through arts, culture, and education, the Trust fosters personal growth, social justice, and economic equality.

What’s On at Journey to Jazz

Among the most significant artistic highlights of the 2026 programme is a special presentation featuring four short films by William Kentridge, accompanied by a live score performed by pianist and composer Kyle Shepherd. The performance forms part of an ongoing creative collaboration between Kentridge and Shepherd, extending work developed over several years across film, music and stage.

Jonathan Rubain, whose deeply expressive performances draw on jazz, soul and spiritual traditions and appears for the second time at Journey to Jazz, as well as Donvino Prins, known for his strong grounding in Cape jazz, spiritual jazz and improvisation.

Journey to Jazz 2026 also continues its collaboration with the Italian Institute of Culture, presenting ¡Gracia! – a contemporary Mediterranean trio featuring Anaïs Drago (award-winning jazz violinist), Fausto Beccalossi and Luca Falomi. Rooted in Mediterranean folk traditions yet distinctly modern in expression, ¡Gracia! embodies the festival’s belief in what becomes possible when creative borders soften and cultural exchange is allowed to flow freely.

There are also various music masterclasses throughout the event, which involve understanding jazz, the art of a trio, and embracing the voice within you. The festival promises to be an uplifting and exciting look into the world of jazz.