Justin Bellairs

Justin Bellairs is a jazz saxophonist, composer, and educator based in Cape Town, South Africa. He is one of the most sought-after jazz musicians in the country, known for his versatility, creativity, and expressive tone. He is also a lecturer in Jazz Studies at the University of Cape Town, where he teaches saxophone, improvisation, and ensemble playing.

Justin started playing the saxophone at the age of 11, and soon discovered his passion for jazz. He enrolled at the University of Cape Town in 2007, where he studied under the guidance of the internationally-renowned saxophonist Mike Rossi. He graduated with distinction in 2011, earning a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Performance. He also holds a Master of Music degree from Rhodes University, which included a recital on the influence of John Coltrane on South African jazz saxophonists. He was supervised by Dr Nishlyn Ramanna, a respected jazz academic and pianist.

During his studies, Justin had the opportunity to study abroad for a year at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo, Norway, where he learned from saxophonist and composer Morten Halle. He also participated in several prestigious programs and competitions, such as the National Youth Jazz Band, which performed at the Joy of Jazz Festival in Johannesburg and toured Sweden; the SAMRO Overseas Scholarship Competition, where he was a finalist; and the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival in Grahamstown, where he is frequently booked for performances and workshops on jazz saxophone and jazz improvisation.

Justin’s professional career has been equally impressive and diverse. He has performed and recorded with some of South Africa’s finest musicians, such as Feya Faku, Nduduzo Makhathini, Kyle Shepherd, Melanie Scholtz, Carlo Mombelli, Bokani Dyer, Darryl Andrews, Mike Campbell, Andrew Lilley, Marcus Wyatt, Kesivan Naidoo, Shane Cooper, Benjamin Jephta, Buddy Wells, Dan Shout, and Sibusiso Mashiloane. He has played on several award-winning albums, such as Oscillations (Shane Cooper, 2013), and One Life In The Sun (Marcus Wyatt and the ZAR Jazz Orchestra, 2015).

One of the highlights of Justin’s career was performing at Carnegie Hall in New York in 2014 with Kesivan Naidoo’s band Kesivan and The Lights. He was one of the youngest South African musicians to perform at the world-renowned concert hall. The band also performed and conducted workshops at Delaware University and Howard University, Washington, sharing their insights and experience with American students and faculty.

He has also toured extensively across Europe and Africa, playing at festivals and venues in Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, France, Mozambique, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. One of the highlights of his touring career was the 2018 MIAGI tour celebrating Nelson Mandela’s centenary, where he performed as a featured soloist with the MIAGI Youth Orchestra at some of the most prestigious venues and festivals in Europe, such as the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. The orchestra played a 35-minute celebratory work composed by Duncan Ward, Rainbow Beats, Suite for 100 Years Nelson Mandela, which showcased the talent and diversity of the South African musicians. The tour was a huge success and received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike.

Justin Bellairs is a talented jazz saxophonist, composer, and educator who has earned recognition in the South African jazz scene and beyond. He enjoys sharing his music with audiences and students, and is always open to new challenges and opportunities as a musician and a person.