The Sankayi Restaurant & Lounge welcomes jazz lovers to enjoy intimate nights of live music from some of South Africa’s most talented and revered artists with their Sankayi Jazz Series. Running weekly from, the series offers a space where music, atmosphere, and hospitality come together.
Five acts fill five evenings with the smooth sounds of jazz
Hosted at Sankayi Restaurant & Lounge, the Sankayi Jazz Series marks a different chapter for the venue, bringing dedicated live jazz experiences within its already well-known hospitality offering.
Each Friday evening of the series features two sets by one (or more) artists, with a 30-minute interval between sets. The August edition includes an extra special Women’s Day Concert too. Each performance is presented in a setting designed to balance concert listening with a premium dining experience.
Week 1 – The Brotherhood of Great Hearts
The incredible August lineup of the Sankayi Jazz Series kicks off with a performance by The Brotherhood of Great Hearts, an ensemble described as a meeting point of thought, streams and articulations of a Black Consciousness project and an egalitarian society.
The Brotherhood of Great Hearts is both a band and an institution that deals with the archive of South African jazz, creative music and current compositional pursuits. Honouring the past while imagining new possibilities for the future, The Brotherhood of Great Hearts invites audiences into an evening of powerful storytelling, musical conversation, and artistic exploration.
Featured among the ensemble is Lesedi Ntsane on the trumpet, Muhammad Dawjee on tenor saxophone, Kagiso Ramela on alto saxophone, Nhlanhla Radebe on double bass, Maxwell Baloyi on piano and Tumi Mogorosi on drums.
Cost: From R400pp. It is recommended that you arrive early to have dinner (at an additional cost) before the concert. Book via Quicket
When: Friday, 7 August 2026. Dinner and drinks open at 6pm and close at 7.30pm. Concert starts at 8pm
Where: Sankayi Restaurant & Lounge, Green Park Corner, Morningside, Johannesburg
Women’s Day with Spa Mdlalose & Siphokazi
This Women’s Day, Sankayi brings together two exceptional South African artists, Spha Mdlalose and Siphokazi, for a special Sunday afternoon celebrating women through music.
Both artists bring their own distinctive voices to the stage, drawing from the richness of South African jazz, soul and African musical traditions. Set in the intimate surroundings of Sankayi in Morningside, the afternoon offers a chance to celebrate Women’s Day over live music, great food and drinks, with two powerful performers at the heart of it all.
Cost: From R400pp. It is recommended that you arrive early to have dinner (at an additional cost) before the concert. Book via Quicket
When: Sunday, 9 August 2026. Doors open at 2pm, with the music starting at 3pm.
Where: Sankayi Restaurant & Lounge, Green Park Corner, Morningside, Johannesburg
Week 2 – Titi Luzipo
Week two sees powerful vocalist and captivating performer Titi Luzipo take to the stage.
Titi is regarded as one of South Africa’s most celebrated jazz and Afro-soul vocalists, renowned for blending jazz, African traditions and contemporary influences into deeply expressive and soulful performances that have captivated audiences both locally and internationally.
Whether performing original compositions or reimagining beloved songs, she brings warmth, depth and extraordinary musicianship to every performance. Prepare for an unforgettable evening with one of South Africa’s finest vocal talents.
Cost: From R400pp. It is recommended that you arrive early to have dinner (at an additional cost) before the concert. Book via Quicket
When: Friday, 14 August 2026. Dinner and drinks open at 6pm and close at 7.30pm. Concert starts at 8pm
Where: Sankayi Restaurant & Lounge, Green Park Corner, Morningside, Johannesburg
Week 3 – The Kyle Shepherd Xahuri Trio Plays the Music of Abdullah Ibrahim
Week three is a two-night special featuring The Kyle Shepherd Xahuri Trio commemorate the sounds and impact of the late, great Abdullah Ibrahim.
The live concert project is dedicated to exploring one of the most important bodies of work in South African jazz. Created specifically for this project, the trio presents a carefully curated programme of Abdullah Ibrahim’s compositions through contemporary interpretation, improvisation and deep musical engagement.
The performance is conceived not simply as a tribute, but as a continuation of one of jazz’s oldest traditions: each generation returning to the music of its masters to discover new meaning and new artistic possibilities.
The trio, conceived specially for this project, features Kyle Shepherd on piano, Dylan Tabisher on double bass and Marlon Witbooi on drums.
Cost: From R400pp. It is recommended that you arrive early to have dinner (at an additional cost) before the concert. Book via Quicket
When: Thursday, 20 August and Friday, 21 August 2026. Dinner and drinks open at 6pm and close at 7.30pm. Concert starts at 8pm
Where: Sankayi Restaurant & Lounge, Green Park Corner, Morningside, Johannesburg
Week 4 – Steve Dyer
Closing out the August Sankayi Jazz Series is saxophonist, composer and icon of South African jazz, Steve Dyer.
Steve is joined by Teboho Kobedi on piano, Lungile Kunene on bass and Romy Brauteseth on upright bass, bringing together an exceptional group of musicians for an intimate night of music at Sankayi.
Expect rich melodies, improvisation and musical conversation from one of South Africa’s respected jazz voices.
Cost: From R400pp. It is recommended that you arrive early to have dinner (at an additional cost) before the concert. Book via Quicket
When: Friday, 28 August 2026. Dinner and drinks open at 6pm and close at 7.30pm. Concert starts at 8pm
Where: Sankayi Restaurant & Lounge, Green Park Corner, Morningside, Johannesburg
Website: alexproductions.co.za
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 078 680 0478
Facebook: @Sankayi Jazz
Instagram: @sankayijazz
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