Jazz Clubs of South Africa

Jazz in South Africa grew concurrently with jazz in the United States, carried by a flourishing community of musicians and concert venues. During the apartheid, it was censored by the government, causing many of the artists to emigrate, which ended up introducing the world to South African jazz. After the end of apartheid, the scene revitalized, with many clubs, young and old, catering to ardent jazz heads. Here are a few of our favorites.

The Soweto Hotel, Soweto

The 1950s were the golden age for jazz music, best exemplified by the famous Jazz Maniacs collective. In modern times, the Soweto Hotel named their restaurant after the group, showcasing authentic jazz sounds alongside classic township fare.

The Chairman, Durban

The Chairman is a relatively new venue, featuring jazz Thursday to Saturday starting at 7 p.m., and going well into the late night. You’ll find the atmosphere sophisticated yet modern, attracting a mix of young and old and featuring a resident DJ playing contemporary music alongside jazz.

Bassline, Johannesburg

This might be the city’s best music venue, moving into Newton Music Hall in 2001 and taking over the 1,000-seat auditorium and the more intimate, 150-seat venue. Bassline features a variety of music, but the best events are its jazz and afro-beat festivals.

West End Jazz Club, Cape Town

West End is the premier venue for live jazz music, draped in opulent velvet and showcasing the best jazz talent from around the world. If you’re a serious jazz fan, make a point of stopping here on Friday or Saturday.