Johannesburg’s Heritage Day celebrations are set to get a distinctly jazzy soundtrack as Free the Jazz makes its debut on 24 September, bringing a free day of live music, emerging talent and cultural expression to the Sandton City Rooftop.
Presented as part of the build-up to the 2026 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival, the inaugural Free the Jazz concert is designed to create a more accessible entry point into the world of jazz while putting a spotlight on the artists shaping its future.
Taking place from 10am to 7pm on Heritage Day, the family-friendly event will bring together jazz, neo-soul, jazz fusion, experimental sounds, Afro-rock and house music in a relaxed setting, complemented by food stalls and bar facilities.
The initiative comes ahead of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival, which takes place on 25 and 26 September at the Sandton Convention Centre, and reflects a growing emphasis on connecting established jazz traditions with younger audiences and emerging artists.
Among the performers at Free the Jazz will be Jazz Maestro Sbu, winner of the Joy of Jazz #JazzReignited DJ search competition, which was launched earlier this year to uncover new talent.
Also taking to the stage will be The Brother Moves On, bringing their distinctive experimental fusion of jazz and Afro-rock, while Namibian house DJ and producer DJ Castro adds a contemporary dance-floor dimension to the programme.
Young jazz vocalist, songwriter and composer Bokang Ramatlapeng, whose work celebrates African heritage, will perform alongside trumpeter Robin Fassie.
The line-up also features radio personalities and DJs The Jazzaholics — Nothemba Madumo and Nonn Botha — as well as popular jazz ensemble Kids Love Jazz.
Beyond the performances, Free the Jazz is positioned as a meeting point for different generations of music lovers and members of Johannesburg’s creative community.
Students, young professionals, creatives, music industry practitioners and lifelong jazz enthusiasts are being invited to experience the event, with the organisers aiming to use the platform to expose emerging musicians to new audiences and create further opportunities through curated programming.
Several jazz platforms associated with the festival will also participate, including Kids Love Jazz, Sankayi Jazz Series, Hugh’s Jazz Club, Jozi Gold, Untitled Basement, Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival and SAMPRA.
The broader ambition is to ensure that the heritage of jazz continues to evolve rather than simply being preserved.
While the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival has established itself as one of Africa’s leading jazz events, its organisers are increasingly looking towards the next generation of musicians and audiences. Free the Jazz provides a dedicated platform for those new voices, experimental sounds and cultural influences to take centre stage.
The initiative also places accessibility at the heart of the Heritage Day programme. Unlike the main festival, entry to Free the Jazz is free, although registration through Quicket is required.
For audiences, the event offers an opportunity to spend Heritage Day immersed in live music and culture, while for emerging artists it provides a high-profile platform within Johannesburg’s established jazz ecosystem.
Joy of Jazz returns
The 2026 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival follows on 25 and 26 September at the Sandton Convention Centre, bringing together international and local jazz talent in a celebration that extends beyond music into culture and the creative economy.
Tickets are priced at R1 150 for a Friday/Saturday Day Pass and R2 250 for a Weekend Pass covering both days.
Standard Bank cardholders can qualify for up to 15% off, limited to two tickets per person and subject to availability and applicable terms and conditions.
With Free the Jazz opening the celebrations on Heritage Day, the Joy of Jazz programme is setting out to make jazz not only a celebration of its rich history, but also a space for discovery, experimentation and the artists who will define its next chapter.
Free the Jazz
Date: 24 September 2026
Venue: Sandton City Rooftop
Time: 10am–7pm
Entry: Free, with registration required
