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.
Talented acts fill Friday 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 September edition includes an extra special Thursday night collaboration with the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival too. Each performance is presented in a setting designed to balance concert listening with a premium dining experience.
The Sankayi Jazz Series October programme
Week One – Andile Yenana
The Sankayi Jazz Series welcomes the legendary Andile Yenana to open its October programme.
The jazz pianist, composer, producer, band leader and music director is revered for his nation-defining sound, which can be heard both in his solo work along with his collaborations with big names such as Zim Ngqawana, Steve Dyer, Sibongile Khumalo, Gloria Bosman, Suthukazi Arosi, Feya Faku and Herbie Tsoaeli.
Yenana’s career has taken him across South Africa and internationally, with performances at venues and festivals including the Royal Albert Hall, North Sea Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, London Jazz Festival and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.
Book your tickets for an evening with a living legend.
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, 2 October 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 Two, Concert One – Vusi Mahlasela
The October edition of Sankayi Jazz Series welcomes legend after legend, with singer-songwriter and poet-activist Vusi Mahlasela taking to the stage for the second showcase of the month.
Simply known as “The Voice” in South Africa, Vusi Mahlasela is celebrated for his distinct, powerful voice and poetic, optimistic lyrics.
His career has taken him around the world, sharing stages with Dave Matthews Band, Sting, Paul Simon, Josh Groban, Ray LaMontagne, Natalie Merchant and Taj Mahal. In 2003, Dave Matthews signed Vusi to ATO Records, leading to the release of his music in North America.
Vusi continues to perform regularly in South Africa and internationally, presenting a special, intimate show at Sankayi to get the month into full swing.
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, 8 October 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 Two, Concert Two – Afrika Mkhize
Week two of the October programme closes out with a performance by acclaimed South African pianist, composer, arranger, producer, musical director and educator Afrika Mkhize.
Mkhize boasts a career that has seen him collaborate with some of South Africa and Africa’s most celebrated artists, including Hugh Masekela, Sibongile Khumalo, Jonas Gwangwa, Oliver Mtukudzi, Vusi Mahlasela, Simphiwe Dana, Jimmy Dludlu and Judith Sephuma.
His work extends across jazz, film, hip hop and house, with Mkhize even having composed and arranged for the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and Roma Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as contributing to projects including Jazz Meets Symphony, the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz and tributes to Bheki Mseleku and Letta Mbulu.
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, 9 October 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 Three – Mimi Mtshali
In week three, Sankayi Jazz Series welcomes acclaimed South African jazz vocalist, composer and lyricist Mimi Mtshali, and artist who has shared stages with some of South Africa’s leading artists, including Sibongile Khumalo, Judith Sephuma, Jimmy Dludlu and Themba Mkhize, as well as international artists including Khadja Nin, Rita Marley, Joe McBride and Lauryn Hill.
Mimi has also been part of the UCT Philharmonic Orchestra, Tucan Tucan, Mamavox and the SAFRA Jazz Band, and has performed jazz classics by artists including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan with fresh arrangements and her distinctive vocal style.
Expect a musical presentation featuring warm tunes, beautiful melodies and deep African and Latin influences.
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, 16 October 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 Four – Michaela Rabitsch & Robert Pawlik Quartet
Week four brings an international collaboration, presenting Austrian jazz duo Michaela Rabitsch and Robert Pawlik, joined by South African musicians Dalisu Ndlazi on bass and Ayanda Sikade on drums.
Michaela Rabitsch, singer, composer and Austria’s only female top jazz trumpet player, has been described as a modern-day female Chet Baker by US magazine Jazzscene. With her partner, composer and guitarist Robert Pawlik, she presents original music rooted in jazz traditions including hard bop, swing, modern jazz, New Orleans Second Line, and blues, while drawing on elements of Indian, African, Balkan and Latin American music.
Known as Vienna’s “first couple of Jazz”, Rabitsch and Pawlik have developed a distinctive sound that balances cool relaxation with funky grooves, sophistication with accessibility.
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, 23 October 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 Five – George Burton
To close out the October programme, the Sankayi Jazz Series welcomes internationally acclaimed American pianist, composer and bandleader George Burton.
An NAACP Image Award-nominated artist from Philadelphia, Burton has developed a distinctive musical language that moves between jazz, electronics, hip-hop and experimental music.
His critically acclaimed 2024 album White Noise brought these elements together with Xhosa music, creating a powerful dialogue between American jazz and Southern African musical traditions.
Burton’s career has taken him from Philadelphia’s hard-bop scene to seven years as pianist with the Sun Ra Arkestra, and into collaborations with artists including Shabaka Hutchings, David Murray, Makaya McCraven, Marquis Hill, James Carter and Meshell Ndegeocello.
At Sankayi, Burton brings his new Dark Science project, featuring South African trombonist and vocalist Siya Makuzeni, continuing the musical dialogue first explored on White Noise.
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, 30 October 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
Get in touch
Website: alexproductions.co.za
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 050 053 3133
Facebook: @Sankayi Jazz
Instagram: @sankayijazz
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