The Arts in Jazz Conversation

Blending the emotive depth of jazz with the expressive power of visual art, Art in Jazz is a curated event series rooted in intention, collaboration, and community. At the centre of it is curator Palesa Motsumi, who envisioned the concept as a space where jazz and visual art speak to and through one another.

“We came up with the idea of bringing together art and jazz under one space,” she says. “We already had a strong relationship with [the venue] Room 91, and they were keen on a jazz activation. One of the first conversations was with an artist based in Cape Town, and we decided to bring in creatives who may not usually be part of the jazz scene, but who love and follow jazz deeply.”

Art in Jazz is a reflection of a broader cultural shift, one where audiences are seeking more immersive, conscious experiences. “It’s not just me,” Palesa explains. “It’s a community of collaborators, artists, and jazz lovers. People who are intentional about the spaces they visit, the art they collect, and the music they listen to.”

Her own journey into the arts began as a passionate practitioner and grew into curation. “Art is a visual language everyone can understand. Merging it with jazz creates powerful conversations. But it has to be curated carefully – you can’t just put art on walls and play music. Every element matters.”

The current series’ theme, Jazz According to the Feminine, is a deliberate reclaiming of space. “Jazz history has mostly celebrated male greats. But there’s a whole lineage of women, vocalists and musicians, who’ve shaped jazz in South Africa and beyond,” she says. “Gabi Motuba represents that perfectly. She’s intentional about every aspect of her work, from the musicians she chooses to the story she tells.”

The upcoming show will feature Motuba alongside Tumi Mogorosi and Reza Khota – “a dream trio,” as Palesa puts it. “They all worked together on Gabi’s album, The Sabbath. Having them share a stage again is a privilege.”

But Art in Jazz goes beyond performance. “It’s about what you’re hearing, what you’re seeing, what you’re eating and drinking,” Palesa says. “We’re collaborating with Cape Heritage Hotels, for example, to offer patrons a full experience. Everything from the lighting to the wine list has to support the atmosphere.”

Visual artist Sam Nhlengethwa’s jazz-inspired prints will anchor the upcoming edition. “Only 20 of these prints were made in South Africa by a specialist printer. They’re not sold separately, they’re part of a portfolio,” Palesa explains. “We had planned to feature his work at the first event, but the timing didn’t align. This time, it felt right.”

Plans for a Johannesburg edition are also on the horizon. “We’re open to expanding,” she says. “But it has to be done thoughtfully. These aren’t just concerts or exhibitions – they’re curated journeys.”

Above all, Palesa hopes audiences leave with something deeper. “We want people to walk away with a desire to invest in art. Not just financially, but emotionally. Art in Jazz is about creating space for that – to listen, to look, to feel, and to take something meaningful home with you.”

Gabi Motuba performs at Art in Jazz 2.0 on Wednesday, August 7th at ROOM 91, 91 Bree Street, Cape Town.
Limited tickets are available via Quicket – find link below.