Description
Ian Smith has been playing trumpet in this city for decades, and he still plays like a man with a gift he enjoys giving. Big sound, big energy, and a dry sense of humour between numbers that catches people off guard.
SeekArt presents Ian Smith and his band at Cape Town Jazz Club on Thursday 19 November. Two sets, 20:00 and 21:15, with Blake Hellaby on keys, Wesley Rustin on bass and Bjorn Petersen on drums.
Ian has shared stages with Dave Brubeck, Shirley Bassey, Luciano Pavarotti, Liberace and Ben E. King. He has played the Edinburgh Jazz Festival and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Alongside his work with the Delft Big Band, Virtual Jazz Reality and countless other projects, he has been recognised with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport’s Contribution to Performing Arts Award.
Then there is the second half of the bill. DJ Uncle Cal plays between the sets and for an hour after the band finishes, which is why this one runs to 23:00 instead of the usual 22:00. Cal has spent his life in South African entertainment, from building a vinyl collection at twelve to playing GrandWest, Jazz on the Rocks and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, and he has put out records with Judy Boucher, Dr Victor and Loukmaan Adams. Expect retro, soul and funk, and no dead air.
Thursday 19 November 2026
Cape Town Jazz Club, Bokeh, 11 Warwick Street, Claremont
18:30 Doors
20:00 First set
21:15 Second set
22:00 DJ Uncle Cal
23:00 Finish
General admission: R200
Students: R150, limited to 30, student card required at the door
Early bird: R150, first 10 tickets only
