Photo: Clarence Ford, and Desmond Frankfort the two main organisers of the NAMPORT Namib Desert International Jazz Festival
The Namib Desert International Jazz Festival, in association with the Namibian Port Authority (NAMPORT), has received a major international boost after being invited to present its tourism and cultural project at the 8th Jazz Across Borders (JAB) in Moscow.
The prestigious forum-festival will take place from 12 to 13 June as part of the Moscow Jazz Festival and is expected to attract more than 1 000 jazz professionals, promoters, educators, producers, and musicians from over 30 countries.
The Jazz Across Borders summit has grown into one of the world’s leading platforms for jazz collaboration, music industry networking, and cultural exchange. The summit programme includes panel discussions, roundtable sessions, artist showcases, matchmaking opportunities with international music executives, and educational forums aimed at strengthening the global jazz sector.
The organisers of the NAMPORT Namib Desert International Jazz Festival say the invitation marks a significant milestone in efforts to position Walvis Bay and the ancient Namib Desert as a premier jazz and cultural tourism destination on the African continent. The organisers say their Moscow presentation will focus on expanding the international footprint of the NAMPORT Namib Desert International Jazz Festival while promoting Namibia’s cultural tourism sector through music, arts, and international partnerships. The invitation follows the successful hosting of the festival’s “Easter Tribute Edition” at the foot of Dune 7, an UNESCO Heritage site that drew increasing local and international attention.
According to the NAMPORT Namib Desert International Jazz Festival organisers, participation at the summit is expected to boost overseas interest in future festival editions planned for 2027 and 2028, while also helping attract international performers, investors, and tourists to Namibia. The organisers also acknowledged the support of several strategic partners contributing to the growth of the initiative, including NAMPORT, Namibian Tourism Board (NTB), MSC Cruises, the Walvis Bay Municipality, MTC Namibia, AB InBev, UNESCO and Swakopmund Municipality. These partnerships are helping strengthen the tourism and creative economies of the Erongo Region and Namibia as a whole.
Meanwhile, preparations are already underway for the 2027 festival cruise experience aboard the MSC Armonia. The vessel is scheduled to depart from Cape Town on 16 March 2027, dock in Walvis Bay during the festival, and return to Cape Town on 21 March 2027.
NAMPORT Namib Desert International Jazz Festival organisers say cabins for the “Love Jazz Cruise” are selling rapidly, with travellers encouraged to secure bookings early.
Final settlement for cabin payments will only be due in December 2026, allowing passengers to spread payments over several months. More information and festival tickets are available on www.namibjazz.com
By Rudi Bowe
