Bilal, one of the world’s most well-respected and highly sought after live acts performing exquisite, pitch-perfect, old-soul hip-hop tinged vocal gymnastics like no other completes the line-up for the 11th Cape Town Jazz Festival.

From the humble streets of Philadelphia to The Big Apple, Brooklyn has been the aural disseminator’s base from where three albums worth of brilliance have, thus far, been realised.

As his keen insistence saw him plough through and challenge his chosen genre Bilal quickly caught the attention and made fans of soul jazz legends Giles Peterson, the Roots, Dr. Dre, Jay Z and Raphael Saddiq. It was Erykah Badu who, upon hearing his early Brooklyn demo’s, hired the prodigy to not only perform, but also produce her 2000 album Mama’s Gun.

Dedicated to old-school, the former jazz musician navigates comfortably around all things percussion, organ and guitar-based. In 2001, at the age of only 21, Bilal’s aptly titled 17-track autobiographical debut 1st Born Second shook the larger neo-soul tree to way beyond its knotted root core where it celebrated comparisons to the true greats. The most memorable confirmation came when critics set it up alongside D’Ángelo’s 2000 Voodoo album, labelling it the ‘smoother stepchild’. From there the rollercoaster was well and truly set in its tracks and was hurtling, at blinding speed, up the charts and into live arena’s right around the world.

“His voice – including a terrific falsetto, can still a room. He has the ability to head in unexpected directions, at the edge of off-key, only to bring back the song with emotional satisfaction that comes when risks pay off” – The Boston Globe

In 2003 he delivered his startling second collection of songs titled Love For Sale. The album was never officially released, but rather bootlegged by hungry fans and one which Vibe magazine tagged ‘psycho soul’. From “How Do You Do You” and “All The Humans Make Some Noise” what’s clear is Bilal enjoys pacing himself and his growing audience, almost insisting that each of his releases find their way in the world, all in their own sweet time.

From recording with Blue Note’s Robert Glasper’s Jazz Trio, this classical and operatic talent, musically fluent in no less than seven languages, has made friends and laid down tracks that have elevated the albums of his peers. Common, John Legend, Boney James and Kayne West all count him part critical to their respective ever-spreading global impressions.

Describing Mos Def, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Q-Tip and Erykah Badu as; “our forefathers” Bilal’s inspiration has seen him grow into a musical phenomenon, untouchable as he swerves out between jazz, blues, funk and soul – defying traditional definition and clear-cut pigeonholing.

Writer of both lyric and note, few in Bilal’s field can claim such a rich understanding of soul and jazz’ respective rich chemistry as he does. Steadfast and dynamic, this multi-talent is pitch perfect and emotionally armed to the teeth, ready to deploy a barrage of lyrical wizardry reserved for the ticket-wielding loyal. “When I perform I live the music,” Bilal told MTV when asked what fans can expect from him in live performance. “I’m expressing whatever emotion lies in the song,” he concludes. “I can’t help that, ‘cause I’m living it!

September 2009 saw Los Angeles based record label, Plug Research, celebrate a coup when they signed Bilal in readiness for his next full-length album. Scheduled for release this year, festival goers are sure to get a slice or three of his 20/20 2010 musical vision that’s a plethora of soul, jazz, rock and electronica.

As his first official release in eight years, the 11th Cape Town Jazz Festival is one of the first platforms on the continent sharing in a full history lesson that will culminate in future promise and leave the audience richer for having shared a room with greatness.

“Bilal embodies the spirits of our legendary forefathers-with-voices with a funky new-age twist” – Essence Magazine

Bilal joins the spectacular line-up of 42 artists that will play on five stages over two days. Other artist include George Benson ‘An Unforgettable Tribute to Nat King Cole’ with 28-piece orchestra and “Greatest Hits” Jonathan Butler with special guests Rick Braun and Richard Elliot, Michaela Rabitsch Robert Pawlik Quartet; Ronny Jordan Organ Trio, Vusi Mahlasela, Selaelo Selota, and Toots Thielemans Quartet, Amanda Tiffin, BLK JKS, Bokani Dyer Quartet feat Buddy Wells, Brooklyn Funk Essentials, Charles Lloyd New Quartet, Delft Youth Big Band conducted by Ian Smith, Gauteng Jazz Orchestra, Glenn Robertson Jazz Band, Iridium Project, Jason Moran The Bandwagon, Judith Sephuma, Kesivan The Lights: Instigators of the Revolution. feat. Feya Faku, Lira, Marcus Wyatt Language 12, Makeson Browne Akoustik Knot feat. Johan Hörlén, McCoy Tyner Trio with special guest Gary Bartz, Melanie Scholtz., Mervyn Africa’s Kaap Finale, Mezzoforte, MiKANiC with Zolani Mahola Buddy Wells, Musa Manzini, Paulo Flores, Rachelle Ferrell, Regina Carter’s “Reverse Thread”, Sammy Hartman Project feat Robbie Jansen Ezra Ngcukana, Soil “Pimp” Sessions, Stix Hojeng, Tete Mbambisa, The Bad Plus, Allou April, Jeff Lorber, LA MELODIA and TKZee.

The festival will take place at the CTICC, on Saturday 3rd Sunday 4th April, for more information go to: www.capetownjazzfest.com

Ticket prices for the 2010 festival are: R330 for single day pass and a two-day weekend pass is R485. As in previous years, there will be an extra fee of R25 per act for patrons wishing to attend concerts on the Rosies stage. Tickets are available at Computicket and Shoprite-Checkers stores.