The Jazz Festival - sponsored directly by Standard Bank, who sponsor jazz events regularly around the country - has been running for 15 years, as has the National Youth Jazz Festival (NYJF). The two festivals now run as a single entity, organised by the same administrative team, which provides a forum for sound education at the same time as a vibrant performance stage of aesthetic integrity, with the intention of showcasing the variety and depth of South African jazz; providing a unique intercultural opportunity with top international musicians; and teaching the top young players in the country the essence of jazz.