The golden era of jazz illuminates Journey to Jazz 2025 with a special look through the lenses of photographers Alf Kumalo, Bob Gosani, Peter Magubane, Ernest Cole, Jurgen Schadeberg and Paul Weinberg in Prince Albert 1 – 4 May
As the dawn breaks in Prince Albert, for the start of this year’s Journey to Jazz (J2J), festivalgoers are in for more than world-class performances and sunrise salutes. This year’s festival, running from 1–4 May, will also unveil a curated programme of exhibitions and collaborative art projects that elevate the experience from sonic to visual, offering profound reflections on South Africa’s cultural past, present, and future.
Headlining the Visual Arts Programme: Back o’ the Moon
A major cultural coup for the festival, Back o’ the Moon — presented by Peffers Fine Art — brings together a rare and evocative collection of photographs from what literary icon Lewis Nkosi once called the “fabulous decade” of South African jazz.
Named after the legendary Sophiatown shebeen, Back o’ the Moon immerses visitors in the energy, defiance and artistry of the 1950s, a period where jazz became both a form of escapism and resistance. The exhibition includes images from iconic photographers such as Alf Kumalo, Bob Gosani, Peter Magubane, Ernest Cole, Jurgen Schadeberg and Paul Weinberg, many originally published in Drum magazine.
Speaking about her father’s works, Nonhlanhla Kumalo remarked: “Photography is more than just capturing a moment—it is a commitment to truth, memory, and legacy. Alf Kumalo dedicated his life to telling the untold stories of our past, using his lens as a powerful tool for education and historical preservation. His work is a testament to the resilience, struggles, and triumphs of those who came before us, ensuring that future generations can learn from and build upon their legacy.
“As we continue his mission, we remain steadfast in making these vital images and artworks accessible to the broader public. In honouring Alf Kumalo’s enduring commitment to education, we intentionally preserve and share his work, ensuring that the lessons and history he captured are never lost but continue to inspire and inform.”
On show at J2J, will be intimate portraits and vibrant street scenes featuring legends like Miriam Makeba, Dolly Rathebe, Hugh Masekela, Kippie Moeketsi, Winston Mankunku Ngozi, and Abdullah Ibrahim, all of whom helped shape the South African jazz sound and spirit.
- Venue:57 Church Street, Prince Albert (formerly 7 Arches)
- Dates:1–4 May 2025
- VIP Opening:Thursday 1 May at 16h00 for 16h30
- Panel Talk: Rhythms of Resistance — Sat 3 May, 11h30, featuring Nonhlanhla Kumalo (daughter of Alf Kumalo) and other guest speakers
- Walkabout: With curators Matthew Blackman & Ruarc Peffers — Fri 2 May at 11h30.
For more information please visit: www.peffersart.com | www.journeytojazz.co.za
Langjan — drawing the line between nature and expression
Another exciting addition to festival’s visual arts, is the Langjan Drawing Project, led by botanical fine art master, Sally Arnold, along with the Prince Albert Community Trust’s (PACT) creative team and learners. Inspired by the indigenous Athanasia tomentosa (also known as ‘Woolly Kanniedood’), this large-scale, collaborative floor drawing connects environmental symbolism with artistic expression.
- Venue:Church Hall, North End, Prince Albert
- Live Drawing:Thursday 1 May, 10h00–16h00
- Exhibition:Friday 2 – Sunday 4 May
The work captures themes of resilience, rootedness, and intergenerational storytelling, created by children under the guidance of artists Sally Arnold, Ethan Martin, and Elcado Blom, with documentation by PACT’s own Knipoog Media.
MoZe Group: storytelling that resonates
Also joining the visual arts landscape is the MoZe Group, a dynamic, women-led multimedia company co-founded by Zenobia Kloppers and Monique Seigels. The group brings its unique storytelling lens through a curated showcase of visual content and publications at the festival. Their cross-medium approach — spanning film, publishing, and live performance — ensures a textured contribution that uplifts indigenous stories and untold narratives. At Journey to Jazz 2025, they will present a free screening of their Riel film, at the Showroom Theatre on 30 April. Booking via Quicket essential.
Journey to Jazz 2025 continues to position itself as one of the most thoughtful and immersive cultural festivals on the continent, merging sound, image, memory, and meaning in the picturesque Karoo town of Prince Albert.
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