As anticipation builds for the next iteration of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, a series of artist-focused activations is already underway—aimed at empowering and educating the next generation of musicians.
Known as Africa’s Grandest Gathering, the festival has long carried a sense of responsibility to nurture emerging talent and sustain the city’s vibrant musical heritage.
On Saturday, 15 November 2025, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, in collaboration with Quiet Life Co., hosted an insightful masterclass demystifying the role of record labels.
With widespread misconceptions surrounding what record labels do—and why they exist—the session offered much-needed clarity for artists eager to navigate the industry with confidence.
The masterclass was led by Danilo Queiros, co-founder of Quiet Life Co., who brought years of industry experience to a room filled with creatives. Held at Quiet Life Studios, the event welcomed around 20 artists and industry professionals into an intimate, inspiring space.
Proceedings began promptly at 9:15am, setting an energetic tone for a morning centred on the theme: An Introduction to Record Labels.
As discussions unfolded, Queiros broke down the internal structures and key functions within a record label.
With several artist managers in attendance, particular emphasis was placed on talent development—a cornerstone of any label’s success.
Attendees gained insight into the importance of talent scouting, a process led by Artists and Repertoire (A&R) teams responsible for discovering and nurturing artists with strong commercial potential.
With the festival fast approaching, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival remains committed to supporting artists year-round.
This ongoing series of activations aims to strengthen Cape Town’s thriving music ecosystem, ensuring that the city’s creative spirit continues to flourish.
