18 October @ 2:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Johannesburg’s live music scene is making space for an evening of jazz, honest storytelling and personal transformation as vocalist, songwriter and producer Miriam Altman brings The Butterfly Project to Wits Theatre on Sunday, 18 October 2026.
Blending contemporary vocal jazz, soul, poetry and African rhythmic influences, the performance promises more than a showcase of musical talent. It invites audiences into a deeply personal journey through darkness, resilience and renewal, using music to explore the experiences that shape who we become.
For a city that thrives on creative expression and finding new ways to tell its stories, this is an opportunity to experience South African jazz through an intimate, emotionally driven lens.
A Musical Journey Through Darkness and Renewal
At the heart of The Butterfly Project is the idea of transformation. Drawing on her classical vocal foundation while embracing contemporary jazz and soul, Altman creates a sound that brings different musical worlds together.
Poetry and African rhythmic influences add further texture to the project, giving the music room to move between reflection, vulnerability and hope.
Rather than presenting transformation as a simple, polished journey, the project traces a more personal experience — one that acknowledges difficult moments while making space for growth.
That emotional honesty is part of what makes contemporary jazz such a compelling live experience. Beyond technical skill and musical arrangements, it creates opportunities for audiences to connect with stories that feel recognisable, even when they are deeply individual.
An Ensemble Rooted in South African Talent
Altman co-produced the album with award-winning pianist and producer Luyanda Madope, bringing together an accomplished ensemble of South African jazz musicians.
The project features Tlale Makhene, Tendai Shoko, Dalisu Ndlazi, Sunnyboy Mthimune, Lungile Kunene and Kuki Mokubetsi, whose collective experience contributes to the album’s musical depth.
The live performance will bring these creative elements into a shared space, allowing audiences to experience the interplay between vocals, instrumentation, rhythm and storytelling.
For Johannesburg’s music lovers, the concert also offers a chance to engage with the country’s jazz community and its continuing contribution to a diverse local music landscape.
What to Expect at Wits Theatre
The Johannesburg concert is positioned as an intimate and uplifting celebration of The Butterfly Project album, combining contemporary jazz with powerful storytelling and musical expression.
Whether you’re a dedicated jazz listener or someone looking to discover a different side of Johannesburg’s live entertainment scene, the performance offers an opportunity to experience music that prioritises feeling, connection and artistic expression.
As Johannesburg continues to make room for diverse creative voices, The Butterfly Project offers an invitation to slow down, listen closely and experience the transformative power of music — one note and one story at a time.
