The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival’s Jazz for Young People (J4YP) is a youth-centred, community-building celebration that combines live music, education, entrepreneurship and heritage at the National School of the Arts in Braamfontein on 25 July 2026.

Youth, music and heritage

Jazz for Young People (J4YP) is a dedicated day created to honour the youth of South Africa through music, learning and meaningful participation. Hosted at the National School of the Arts (NSA) in Braamfontein on Saturday, 25 July 2026, from 09:00 to 18:00, the event places young audiences and performers at the heart of the programme, making them active contributors rather than passive spectators.

The day is designed as a family-friendly experience, with live performances, food, art exhibitions and children’s activities woven into the festival environment. J4YP also serves as a fundraiser for the NSA, an institution that has played a significant role in nurturing South African musicians over the years, ensuring that every ticket sold and every activation supports future artistic development.

This year carries particular emotional weight as South Africa commemorates 50 years since the Soweto Uprising, when young people took to the streets to fight for dignity and rights. In that spirit, J4YP honours their legacy by creating contemporary opportunities for youth to learn, perform, volunteer and build pathways into creative careers.

Msaki and the Fetch Your Life Foundation

A key dimension of J4YP 2026 is its guest curator: Asanda Lusaseni, known widely as Msaki — an award-winning composer, singer and songwriter whose work bridges introspective artistry and social impact. Through her Fetch Your Life Foundation, Msaki has created a platform that encourages young people to move towards their purpose, anchored in service, skills development, mentoring and workshops for youth in underserved communities.

Named after her hit song “Fetch Your Life”, the foundation echoes a message of aligning with one’s dreams and purpose, and J4YP amplifies this ethos by giving young people access to knowledge, networks and spaces they might not otherwise reach. In addition to curating the J4YP line-up, Msaki will lead workshops, alongside sessions focused on music and creativity, wellness, outdoor education, entrepreneurship and technology.

These workshops will run ahead of the main event at three key locations:

• JSM Academy: Nkanyezi Simulation Centre, Martha Louw Street, Orlando Gardens, Soweto — 13 July, 10:00–13:00
• National School of the Arts (NSA), 17 Hoofd Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg — 21 July, 10:00–13:00
• East Rand School of the Arts (ERSA), 1 Jones Street, Daveyton, Benoni — 22 July, 10:00–13:00

By spreading workshops across Soweto, inner-city Johannesburg and the East Rand, the programme ensures a wider reach and deeper community impact.

A line-up driven by youth talent

The performance line-up for J4YP is intentionally rooted in youth and education. Bands and ensembles have been selected from a range of institutions, giving young musicians a platform to perform for a live audience and experience the realities of festival stages.

Performers include:

• The National School of the Arts Band (NSA Band)
• Khutlo Tharo School of the Arts
• East Rand School of the Arts (ERSA)
• Pro Arte Alphen Park Performing and Creative Arts High School
• Spartan High School
• Sacred Heart College Jazz/Marimba Band
• JSM Academy
• University of the Witwatersrand’s Music Department Jazz Band
• Central Johannesburg TVET College Music Department
• Music Academy of Gauteng
• Vuyo Viwe, a Johannesburg-based flautist, composer, vocalist and bandleader carving out a distinct space in contemporary South African jazz
• Mahubo Band
• NU-Bam & The Band

Many of these performers are technically trained, culturally grounded and adaptable across live performance, studio work and educational outreach. Most are between 16 and 25, seeking platforms to experiment, refine their musical ideas and connect with audiences beyond the classroom.

Beyond the stage: education and entrepreneurship

J4YP is designed not only as a celebration of artistry, but as an ecosystem for ideas, business and creative confidence. Each year the festival is meaningfully shaped “by the youth, for the youth”, and this year includes an expanded multi-layered educational programme.

Key components include:

• Masterclasses: Focused sessions helping young people deepen their skills and knowledge in areas like entrepreneurship, music, dance and visual art.
• Youth Festival Performance Stage: A dedicated space showcasing live music and dance performances, reinforcing that young creatives deserve their own spotlight.
• Marketplace & Exhibition Space: A platform for young entrepreneurs to sell products and present their work, from food and apparel to crafts, art exhibitions, photography and paintings.

Throughout the day, professionals from the arts and entertainment sectors will mentor youth-led teams, guiding them through event planning, production and on-the-day execution. Young people will be assigned roles across the festival, gaining real-world experience in event management, customer care and teamwork, while networking with industry experts.

To maximise inclusion, the festival partners with organisations such as MusicLab to supply volunteers, and young people are actively encouraged to apply to volunteer at J4YP — an entry point into behind-the-scenes festival work that is rarely accessible to youth.

Community, creativity and opportunity

In inviting young entrepreneurs to apply for exhibition space, J4YP encourages practical economic participation. Youth-owned or youth-led initiatives can showcase food, apparel, crafts, visual art and more, turning the festival into a marketplace of ideas and products. To book participation, prospective exhibitors are invited to email the organisers for details.

The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival, of which J4YP is a key component, positions itself not just as a music event but as a cultural and economic catalyst. Beyond the youth-focused day, the broader 2026 Joy of Jazz programme includes:

• R1 150 – Friday/Saturday Day Pass, General Admission
• R2 250 – Weekend Pass (Friday and Saturday)

Standard Bank cardholders qualify for up to 15% discount on tickets, limited to two tickets per person, subject to availability and standard terms and conditions. This structure ensures both broad access and a clear value offering for festivalgoers planning their Joy of Jazz weekend.

Event details: Jazz for Young People (J4YP)

• Event: Jazz for Young People (J4YP)
• Date: Saturday, 25 July 2026
• Venue: National School of the Arts, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
• Time: 09:00–18:00
• Tickets: Available via Quicket

Ticket prices:

• General admission (adults): R100
• Children aged 5–12: R50

For bulk schools bookings (with a 10% discount on tickets), schools and educational institutions are invited to contact the organisers directly. Young entrepreneurs wanting to exhibit or sell products — including food, apparel, crafts, photography and fine art — are also encouraged to apply via email to secure exhibition space.

In essence, J4YP 2026 is a full-spectrum youth celebration: a day of jazz, learning, mentorship and entrepreneurship that honours the past, amplifies the present and invests in the future of South African creativity.