How Jazz Gave Me Life
A Story of Rhythm, Resilience, and Redemption in the Heart of Cape Town
"In the sprawling townships of Cape Town, where opportunities are scarce and the echoes of a fractured society linger, a new generation is finding its voice, its future, and its salvation in the improvisational heart of jazz."
— A photographic journey by Marius Burgelman
The pitch
Beyond the tourist trails of Cape Town lies a world of vibrant, raw, and unfiltered energy: the Cape Jazz scene of the townships. This is more than a music genre; it is a collective breath, a language of survival and connection that empowers people to rise above the complex realities of their daily lives.
At the center of this movement is the Institute for Music and Indigenous Arts Development (IMAD), a grassroots NGO that has quietly armed hundreds of young people with instruments, mentorship, and a stage to reclaim their future.
Our photographic project, "How Jazz Gave Me Life," documents the profound impact of this musical ecosystem. We will step inside the classrooms of IMAD in Khayelitsha and Lansdowne, where professional musicians guide the next generation.
This is not a story about poverty or suffering. It is a message of hope and unwavering resilience. It is about witnessing how a trumpet, a saxophone, or a piano becomes a tool of empowerment, offering an alternative to the lure of drugs and violence.
Core themes
Musical identity
Cape Jazz as a language of survival, connection, and cultural expression in the townships
Community impact
IMAD's grassroots approach providing instruments, mentorship, and opportunities to hundreds of youth
Resilience & hope
How music offers alternatives to violence and drugs, creating paths to dignified futures
Documentary vision
Capturing intimate moments, rehearsals, and performances with cinematic authenticity
Why Me? Why Now?
As a photographer, my own journey has been a fight to find my voice. Dyslexia was the barrier that held me back until photography became the language I could finally speak fluently, honestly, and without judgement. When I see the youth of IMAD, I don't see subjects; I see a reflection of my own struggle and the same relentless drive to create a future you can call your own.
"This is not the perspective of an outsider looking in. It is the shared understanding of what it means to find your rhythm against the odds."
My connection is born from recognition. Their passion for music mirrors my own for photography. This shared drive allows for a unique intimacy and access, enabling me to capture the quiet, unnoticed moments of resilience that tell the real story. I don't chase the spectacle of hardship; I seek the silent, human engine that powers life beneath it.
I want to show what is so often missed: the strength, not just the wound.
Visual approach
Documentary-poetic Style
Natural lighting, intimate portraits, and observations of group dynamics inspired by William Claxton's jazz photography
Authentic access
From IMAD classrooms to living room rehearsals, cafés, and street performances across Khayelitsha and Lansdowne
Focus on hope
Capturing the light, the identity, energy, and hope these young musicians forge, not just the darkness they overcome
Expected outcomes
A coherent collection of 100+ exclusive photographs documenting Cape Jazz and IMAD schools, culminating in a powerful photo book with contextual essays for photography enthusiasts, jazz fans, and cultural audiences worldwide.
Visual Archive & Photo Book
Public presentations, followed by exhibitions in Cape Town that generate awareness and support for music education in underserved communities.
Traveling Exhibition
Media Coverage & Impact
National and international publications, articles, and interviews highlighting the transformative role of jazz music in Cape Town townships, with proceeds supporting IMAD's continued work.
Long-term Legacy
A durable archive for researchers, journalists, and cultural institutions, inspiring similar initiatives globally while providing structural support for music education and social programs.
Partner With Me
By partnering with National Geographic, we can amplify this story of hope, showing the world that even in the most challenging circumstances, art creates a space where we can find ourselves, each other, and a future worth fighting for.
A pitch document for National Geographic
How Jazz Gave Me Life
© 2026 All Rights Reserved