For centuries, Africa has been a land of music, rhythm, and soulful expression, and its love for jazz is a testament to that. Across the continent, jazz has become not just a genre of music, but a cultural movement, blending the rich heritage of African sounds with global influences. From its roots in the early 20th century, jazz has found a home in nearly every corner of Africa, with nations like South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Angola embracing the genre and making it their own.
One of the most notable celebrations of jazz in Africa is Angola’s International Jazz Festival, ANGOJAZZ. Held for the third time in the capital city of Luanda, the festival brought together artists from across the globe, with the aim of both entertaining and educating. Over four days, the iconic Palacio de Ferro building pulsed with the rhythm of jazz, creating a space not only for performances but also for workshops and masterclasses, a hallmark of ANGOJAZZ.
At this year’s event, six countries—Germany, Belgium, France, Portugal, Cuba, and Venezuela—joined Angola in showcasing the beauty of jazz. However, what stood out the most was the festival’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of artists, particularly female Angolan musicians.
According to the festival’s artistic director, “We must pass on information to future generations so they can benefit from what we are doing today. That’s why music exists, and we need to write it down.”
The festival was a testament to the transformative power of jazz, uniting cultures and generations in one space. Attendees were treated to performances from renowned artists such as Gonçalo Marques and Bruno Santo (Portugal), Miguelito (Cuba), Conny Schneider (Germany), Trio Edith Calas (France), Biyewa (Belgium), and Mariana Martinez (Venezuela).
Angola’s own musical talents, including Dimbu Makiese, Filipe Mukenga, and Vladimiro Gonga, ensured that the local flair of Angolan jazz was represented, enriching the festival experience with the country’s unique sounds.
Jazz in Africa is much more than a genre—it’s an extension of the continent’s rich musical heritage, which has always prioritized rhythm, storytelling, and emotion.
From the syncopated beats of West African drumming traditions to the complex harmonies found in southern African choral music, African musical forms naturally complemented and contributed to the rise of jazz in the early 1900s.
As African-American musicians in New Orleans began to blend African rhythms with European musical structures, jazz was born—a genre that, much like Africa itself, was fluid, improvisational, and full of life.
As jazz spread across the globe, African nations like South Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana became key players in shaping the music’s evolution. In Nigeria, jazz found a home through Afrobeat, pioneered by the iconic Fela Kuti, who fused jazz with traditional African rhythms and political commentary.
The growing popularity of jazz festivals like Cape Town International Jazz Festival in South Africa and Lagos Jazz Festival in Nigeria underscores the deep connection between the African people and the music that speaks to their shared experiences, struggles, and triumphs.
As jazz festivals continue to grow in popularity across the continent, there is hope that more African countries will continue to explore and celebrate the genre.
Whether through the establishment of more festivals like ANGOJAZZ or through the rise of new generations of African jazz musicians, the future of jazz in Africa looks bright. It is a future grounded in history, rich in cultural exchange, and full of creativity.
Miguelito, the talented violinist from Cuba who performed at ANGOJAZZ, perhaps summed up the essence of jazz in Africa best: “Music is in my veins. And so, I give the best of myself on stage.”
Jazz is in the veins of Africa, and as its rhythms continue to pulse through the continent, they will undoubtedly inspire future generations of artists, musicians, and music lovers alike.
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