It is always a joy on The K Jazz Show to bring you the sounds and stories of artists who are not just shaping the present, but also defining the future of jazz. This Sunday, we are honored to welcome one of the brightest rising stars on the global scene — a 25-year-old Haitian-American baritone whose voice is as rich in depth as it is in vision. Tyreek McDole is no stranger to acclaim — in 2023 he won the prestigious Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, becoming only the second male vocalist in its history to do so. And now, he gifts us with his long-awaited debut album, "Open Up Your Senses", a project that is both bold and tender, rooted in jazz tradition yet expansive in its exploration of spirituality, self-reflection, and social consciousness.

South Africa’s jazz story is a living archive, and each artist adds a new chapter to this ongoing melody. Today on The K Jazz Show, as we open our Heritage Month series, I am truly delighted to be joined by a pianist whose music is both rooted and boundless, deeply African yet universally resonant. He is internationally acclaimed, a winner of the Central Music Awards for jazz, and a nominee at the Mzansi Jazz Awards. He has taken his music to the stages of Europe, India, and across our beloved South Africa — all while shaping the next generation through education and mentorship. Thapelo Khumisi was on The K Jazz Show

So this Sunday, you and I connect with a young drummer from Tel Aviv in Israel by the name of Ofri Nehemya, who has shared stages in collaboration with incredible artists has marked himself as one of the most prominent Israeli drummers in the global jazz scene, collaborating with world wide known artists including Avishai Cohen (bass), Ben Wendel, Shai Maestro, Omer Avital and many others. He is our cover story artist in the 3rd hour this week and we also get to listen to some of his composition and talk to him about his walk with Jazz.

On The K Jazz Show today, we welcome one of the great voices of our time on trumpet—Sean Jones. He’s a celebrated bandleader, composer, and former lead trumpeter of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. As Artistic Director of Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Sean is shaping the next generation of jazz ambassadors, taking this music across the globe. He joins us to talk about the powerful new live album Live in Johannesburg, recorded at the iconic Market Theatre here in city. This is a story of music, history, and cultural exchange told through the spirit of jazz.

The second hour of The K Jazz Show, we welcome a phenomenal artist whose journey is a story of passion, excellence, and jazz brilliance. She is the 2025 Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz, a trailblazing trombonist, composer, and arranger whose music has graced global stages from Montreux to New York’s Blue Note. This includes performances alongside legends like Hugh Masekela and Ulysses Owens Jr., including the formation of her own sextet, she continues to push the boundaries of South African jazz on the world stage. As she prepares for her much-anticipated debut performance at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, we are thrilled to have her with us.

As we are firmly into the second hour of our show and today, we’re thrilled to welcome an incredible talent as part of our “Road to the Joy of Jazz 2025” series. From electrifying saxophone solos to her soulful compositions, Lakecia’s music has captured hearts around the world. And now, she’s coming to Johannesburg for the Joy of Jazz Festival—and we couldn’t be more excited to have her stop by our way as part of her journey to our favourite festival.

When we say Page Three on The K Jazz Show, we’re talking about those artists who don’t just play music – they live it. We have a guest who has taken the cello – yes, the cello – from the township streets of Sebokeng to the world stage. He is a man whose music breathes, dances, and prays across continents and centuries. On the K Jazz Show, we welcome the extraordinary Abel Selaocoe, here to talk about his current project “Hymns of Bantu” and the upcoming live debut solo offering “Four Spirits”, which show cases music that is already shaking the global scene with its deep rhythms, chants, and spiritual truths.

Now, every so often, we get to witness an artist whose very being feels like music. Someone who doesn’t just play jazz — but breathes, bends, reshapes, and reimagines what’s possible within it. And when that artist happens to be a four-time Grammy Award winner, an inventive bassist, a luminous vocalist, a fearless composer, and one of the most captivating live performers of our time —as music lover you are compelled to make space, to lean in, and certainly listen deeply. It is my absolute pleasure and honour to welcome to The K Jazz Show — a global icon and this year’s Joy of Jazz headliner, Esperanza Spalding.

This week on The K Jazz Show, we were thrilled to welcome a phenomenal saxophonist, composer, and bandleader whose sound resonates across continents – Karl Martin Almqvist is known for his soulful tone, inventive improvisation, and deep collaborative spirit, and has carved out a global presence in jazz. He is coming to South Africa as part of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz 2025, performing with his powerhouse ensemble – the Ababhemu Quartet – a group rooted in trust, brotherhood, and a bold vision of unity through music.

From the streets of Italy to the very core of New York City’s jazz pulse, Daniele Germani has carved a sonic path that speaks of fearless innovation and tender homage. Whether he’s navigating the intimate harmonies of jazz or flirting with the gloss of pop influences, Daniele’s sound remains sincere, searching, and soul-deep. Saxophonist, composer, and restless creator, Daniele Germani spoke to us.

on The K Jazz Show, and today we tune into the rhythm of resilience, the sound of soul, and the voice of a nation — all wrapped in one mighty bassline. Joining us live from Russia is a multi-award-winning composer, producer, and bassist whose musical passport has stamped some of the world’s finest stages — from Amsterdam’s Royal Concertgebouw to the King’s Castle in Sweden. He’s orchestrated for the BBC Proms, worked with legends like Hugh Masekela, McCoy Mrubata, Zoe Modiga, and Wouter Kellerman, and scooped Naledi and Mzantsi Jazz Awards along the way. His third album Black Child is on the horizon — and it’s more than music, it’s a message.

We’re joined by South African-born, New York-based drummer, composer & visionary Lumanyano Mzi as he takes us deep into his sonic journey! From his Cape Town roots to international stages, we unpack his inspiring career, global collaborations, and what it means to carry Ithemba Elisha – A New Hope into the world. PLUS: We debut exclusive tracks from the brand new album, and get the scoop on his much-anticipated South African tour! A kind of slick, global futurism. This Sunday.

This September, José returns to South Africa for The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival 2025, and this time he’s bringing us a stunning tribute to the queen of neo-soul, Erykah Badu, from his bold and beautifully reimagined project, José James Sings Erykah. We’ll also dive into his latest album 1978, an autobiographical triumph that’s turning heads across the globe.

This Sunday, The K Jazz Show returns with front-row flair and rhythm-rich coverage of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival. Now, when it comes to world-class groove, finesse on the kit, and a keen ear behind the studio desk, our next guest wears many hats — all stylishly tilted towards excellence. Joining us for the very first time on Kofifi FM 97.2 is a man who keeps time like it’s a fine wine — matured, bold, and full of notes. He’s not just a drummer; he’s a rhythm sculptor, a sonic craftsman, and a creative force who’s been shaping the sound of South African jazz for over a decade. Whether he’s leading his acclaimed Peter Auret Trio, laying down tracks for legends in his Sumo Sound Recording studio, or collaborating with jazz giants both local and global — one thing’s for sure: when Peter Auret is involved, the music doesn’t just play… it speaks.

This Sunday on The K Jazz Show, we welcome back a powerhouse of South African jazz—a trumpeter, composer, and bandleader who plays with the fire of revolution and the grace of heritage. From the Johannesburg streets to global stages, his sound is as fearless as it is fluid. He’s the force behind unforgettable projects like Bhekisizwe, Born to Be Black, and Oratorio of a Forgotten Youth—and he's not done shaking the jazz world. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the ever-evolving, always electrifying, Mandla Mlangeni!

This week on The K Jazz Show, we’re thrilled to be joined by the inimitable Brenda Sisane — broadcaster, cultural curator, creative director, and part of the driving force behind the Journey to Jazz festival. As the festival turns three this year, we take a moment to celebrate its growth, its grounding in pure jazz, and its growing impact from the small town of Prince Albert to the broader South African cultural landscape.

We are joined by none other than the legendary Hilton Schilder — a man whose music is as layered and soulful as the city he hails from. Born into rhythm, raised by Goema, and armed with a playful spirit including 16 instruments (yes, sixteen!), Hilton is Cape Town’s very own sonic alchemist. From Punk to Classical, Rock to Cape Jazz, his fingerprints are all over the South African music landscape. And now, as he prepares to release his 46th — project, he’s still full of fresh stories, sounds, and surprises. A true “mind freedom fighter” if ever there was one.

We’re thrilled to celebrate the 2025 recipients of the Standard Bank Young Artist Awards (SBYA) — an initiative that, for 40 years now, has honored creative excellence and fearless innovation in South African art. Among the six remarkable trailblazers is Siyasanga “Siya” Charles, a Juilliard-trained trombonist whose global career and bold artistic voice have earned her this prestigious accolade. Known for her powerful work with the Siya Charles Sextet and collaborations with legends like Hugh Masekela, Siya is redefining the future of South African jazz.

We’re joined by a collective that’s as much about movement as they are about music. With their brass-heavy sound, genre-defying style, and infectious energy, they’ve made waves across South Africa and beyond. They say they play intelligent music… they play dumb music… and they play whatever they want—because you come anyway!

As the sun rises and the melodies of the past, present, and future intertwine, we are thrilled to welcome an artist whose voice has graced some of the world’s most prestigious stages. His journey in music began at the tender age of 11, singing in renowned choirs before evolving into a seasoned vocalist, working alongside legends like Jonathan Butler, Kirk Whalum, Oleta Adams, and Diana Ross. He has captivated audiences across the globe, performed for world leaders, and lent his artistry to some of the finest jazz recordings in South Africa and beyond. He is on his way to the Journey to Jazz festival and he stopped by this Sunday.