TAJE creates opportunities for cross-cultural understanding and mutual respect through shared musical experiences.
Donate nowThe SA Exchange project is intended to take place during 2 weeks in February 2025. We plan to host the American jazz musician (Kojo and Antoine Roney) on an exchange residency to SA. This will typically run for 2 weeks in the format described earlier. It will run across Cape Town and Johannesburg with a focus on rural and urban communities that are marginalized (e.g., Khayelitsha in Cape Town, Benoni in Gauteng) including Wits university. The format will be live composer and ensemble workshop sessions with the US and SA local jazz musicians and learners at the music schools. The intention is to also have public performances in communities and schools that do not typically have access to live music with the impact on healing and bringing people together as upliftment out of current circumstances. As this project aims to make national impact, the programme will offer a component of online workshops (open access) and will further, be working alongside a pool of satellite schools, community initiatives and self-funded curators throughout the country.
Click here to view the schedule and book your TicketsPeople are at the heart of the transatlantic jazz exchange, uniting through a shared love for music and cultural exchange. Together, these partners enrich the global jazz community with creativity and collaboration.
Our music exchange residency program bridges continents, blending the rich musical traditions of Africa and the Diaspora. In October 2023, as part of our inaugural US exchange artist in residence, South African multi-instrumental and composer Mark Fransman (Sonik Citizen) experienced an inspiring residency in the US collaborating with jazz legends and mentoring emerging talent in cities like Chicago and New York. In February 2024, TAJE welcomed our first American artist in residence, celebrated saxophonist, flautist and educator, Rene McLean. A musical visionary and former professor at the University of Cape Town, Rene’s return to South Africa was both a cultural exchance and heartfelt homecoming.
We host masterclasses and workshops featuring accomplished jazz musicians from South Africa and the United States. These sessions cover topics like jazz improvisation, composition, instrumental techniques, and the cultural roots of jazz. Through performances, emsemble workshops and masterclasses, TAJE creates unforgettable opportunities for audiences and artists alike.
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Join TAJE in its mission to inspire unity, celebrate diversity, and promote positive social change.
The Transatlantic Jazz Exchange (TAJE) is a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to fostering artistic growth, celebrating cultural diversity, and building lasting connections between musicians from South Africa and the African Diaspora (New York). Through innovative residencies, performances, and workshops, TAJE unites marginalized communities by exploring the shared heritage and universal language of jazz.
Our program bridges continents, blending the rich musical traditions of Africa and the Diaspora. In October, South African multi-instrumentalist and composer Mark Fransman (Sonik Citizen) experienced an inspiring residency in the U.S., collaborating with jazz legends and mentoring emerging talent in cities like Chicago and New York.
In February, TAJE welcomes our first American artist in residence, celebrated saxophonist, flautist, and educator René McLean. A musical visionary and former professor at the University of Cape Town, René’s return to South Africa is both a cultural exchange and a heartfelt homecoming.
Through performances, ensemble workshops, and masterclasses, TAJE creates unforgettable opportunities for audiences and artists alike. It’s more than music—it’s about forging connections, celebrating shared histories, and inspiring a deeper understanding of our global community.
Join us on this extraordinary journey, where jazz transcends boundaries and unites the world.
People are at the heart of the transatlantic jazz exchange, uniting through a shared love for music and cultural exchange. Together, these partners enrich the global jazz community with creativity and collaboration.
TransAtlantic Jazz Exchange is more than just a music exchange: Its a movement that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Jazz while fostering innovation and Colaboration. Our programs provides artist with the platform to explore new creative horizons and connect with audiences around the world. TAJE's transformative initiatives are the heartbeat of cultural dialogue, artistic collaboration, and community upliftment worldwide. A powerful force for positive change.
ButtonThe Advisory Board includes distingquised jazz artists, educators, and cultural advocates who provide invaluble insight and support to TAJE's programs and initiatives.
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