For an art form that depends by its very nature on human contact – between musicians improvising on stage, and by their interaction with their audience – the Covid-19 pandemic has posed unusual and unique challenges. We are very pleased to be able to offer a virtual version of the festival we have planned over the past year, trimmed to the bands that could record under the strict Covid-19 regulations, and beamed around the world as part of the virtual National Arts Festival. What a way to sell the world our jazz culture! Our programme is predominantly South African, ensuring that local musicians get an opportunity to present their work. The performers represent much of the hippest new jazz coming out of South Africa at the moment. And we are proud of how young the musicians on the programme are! Headlining this is the spectacular young British multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier, who is transforming the nature of music in real time as the world watches on the internet. We trust that you will find the programme provocative, exciting and enjoyable – Welcome to a celebration of the past and future of our nation’s jazz! – Alan Webster, Festival Director