Free State Jazz Series

The 2026 Free State Jazz Series features leading South African musicians, including Siya Makuzeni, Abraham Mennen, Sphelelo Mazibuko, Sanele Phakati, and Dalisu Ndlazi. Performances take place in the intimate, pop-up Jazz Lounge at the Wynand Mouton Theatre, foregrounding improvisation and collaboration. The programme reflects both the depth of South Africa’s jazz heritage and its evolving contemporary forms, highlighting the genre’s expressive range. It affirms the Institute’s commitment to expanding audiences, supporting a sustainable local jazz culture, and recognising jazz as a dynamic cultural form.

Presented by The International Institute of the Arts at the University of the Free State.