Artscape Youth Jazz Series 2026 calls for entries

Aspiring Western Cape based jazz musicians and instrumentalists are invited to participate in this year’s Youth Jazz Series, scheduled to take place from 12-13 June at Artscape Theatre.

Initiated by Artscape in 2003 as the Youth Jazz Festival, this project has grown extensively over the years to accommodate the enormous interest and exceptional talent of young jazz musicians.

As the project continues to evolve, it is now known as the Youth Jazz Series. The project includes masterclass programmes where the young musicians will learn from those experienced in the industry and then take to the stage.

The two-day concert will witness the young aspiring Jazz Soloists getting to showcase their talent on 12 June, with the School Jazz Bands performing on 13 June 2026.

The benefits of participating in the festival are numerous and ongoing.

Participants become hubs of sustainable learning as they are given a platform to voice their own creativity to a captive audience while they also get an opportunity to broaden their horizons by experiencing the magic of live stage, lights, sound and an audience.

Aspiring musicians and instrumentalists are required to submit an audition video via online platforms with the following criteria:

The age restriction is 27 years in the year of participation.
We encourage scholars and informal music students to audition.
Music literacy is not essential. Candidates who only play by ear are most welcome.
Candidates must reside in the Western Cape.
A maximum of two 3-4 min audition videos to be submitted by Friday, 17 April 2026. (Please complete the application form and submit it with your audition videos.)
Candidates must submit two songs/standards. Any jazz tune or standard is acceptable.
Selected candidates will be contacted for a live audition with an audition panel if further audition performance is required
A maximum of 15 minutes will be allocated per candidate.
All candidates must be available to attend masterclasses. These sessions will be set up and agreed upon by candidates and mentors once auditions are concluded.
All candidates must be available for all required rehearsals between May-June 2026. These sessions will be set up and agreed upon by candidates and mentors.

Download the application forms here