Jazz news: Jazz Waves Wednesdays on 91 Bree, Old Bailey Lounge Bar Cape Town

What is new and fabulous for the Cape Town spring and summer- with views of the city, excellent drink, food and music? Well, as a person who loves whisky (yes, I do) and jazz, I am excited  to hear about Jazz Waves Wednesdays on 91 Bree– happening Wednesday nights in Cape Town’s CBD. The venue is the Old Bailey Lounge Bar – 91 Bree Street- across the road from Heritage Square. The lounge is on the 3^rd floor of the building which houses Chef’s Warehouse and the Brasserie.

Jazz Waves Wednesdays came about when Luvuyo Kakaza of The Cape Town Music Academy (CTMA) was having lunch in the Old Bailey Lounge Bar which offers a premium collection of whiskey, wines and cocktails. Seating is lounge style- couches, padded chairs. There are glorious views of Lion’s Head and the city. Kakaza spotted a baby grand piano. He thought: “Wow”. The idea of jazz evenings began to germinate. This led to discussions with the owners and Jazz Waves Wednesdays started in early August 2023. The lineup changes each Wednesday.

The jazz events are from 8pm-10pm but the idea is to arrive at around 6.30pm to watch the sunset, from the open terrace- and have a little whisky – or two- or three. There are whisky sommeliers to guide and advise on what is on offer. Table service is available from the restaurants in the Old Bailey, so one can chill and decompress. Yes, there are tables in the lounge and yes one may continue to eat and drink, while the jazz is on the go.  Tickets to the jazz evenings are R120 (via Quicket). It is not mandatory to order drinks or food. If you want to buy your jazz ticket and you do not want to drink or eat, no pressure. Parking is available, across the road in Heritage Square which is paved and well lit.

I had no idea of the existence of Old Bailey Lounge Bar. Look at the photos on the Old Bailey’s website https://the-bailey.co.za/the-old-bailey-lounge-bar/. The lounge is reminiscent of members’ clubs and bars in London and New York – where whisky enthusiasts leave a bottle with their name on – and they sit and drink and sample new whiskies – with friends and colleagues.

This is a wonderful news for jazz in Cape Town. The enterprising Luvuyo Kakaza, has ignited jazz across the Cape in venues in the city, winelands, in the Deep South (Muizenberg), surf land (Noordhoek) and in the townships. The CTMA is a vital platform for jazz legends and emerging musos. The CTMA events draw diverse audiences – communing with beautiful music and people.

Jazz Waves Wednesdays is a wonderful addition to the jazz scene – in a central city location, with parking, high end food and drinks, comfy seating and views. I look forward to the Jazz Waves Wednesdays [JWW] experience. I salute the CTMA and Kakaza for spreading the love of jazz around the Cape. The vision- to develop JWW into a premium jazz venue in Cape Town.

✳ Featured image of the Old Bailey Lounge Bar, Cape Town, 91 Bree Street- pic used with permission of The Old Bailey. Jazz Waves Wednesdays, takes place in the lounge, on Wednesday evenings – presented in collaboration with The Cape Town Music Academy.