The festival was founded in 1999 by the late Dennis Barr (and is now run and organised by Ann Barr) with the intention of providing a platform for players in schools, colleges and community bands to hone their talents and encourage career-building development through education.
Every year, proceeds from the festival go toward a number of worthy causes including scholarships for the jazz studies programme at the SA College of Music, sponsorship to the Beau Soleil Music for the Africa Trust, as well as to participating bands and other music initiatives in the Western Cape.
Apart from the sponsoring a number of projects, the festival also funds school-based music programmes for the at-risk youths in Athlone and Manenberg, and donates instruments to institutions in need.
Every year the festival has grown from strength to strength and has become a highlight of the Cape Town music scene. The concept took off and now includes the Gauteng Big Band Jazz festival, the Marimba band festival and the Steelpan festival.
This year saw the festival at the Baxter Theater in Rondebosch for the 17th year, and was once again a huge success. There were 23 Big Bands playing over 4 nights.
For a full list of the band go {here}
One of the bands who played was the Delft Big Band. (video below)
