Michael, who does the unique work of drawing live at jazz concerts, becomes the second South African artist to make the world-renowned festival’s poster!
Franschhoek, South Africa (28 October 2026) – Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek has unveiled the official poster for its second edition, and it was made by a 26-year-old Cape Town artist who is best known for drawing at live gigs.
Michael Beckurts is the second South African artist to design the festival’s poster, following Sam Nhlengethwa, whose artwork marked the first Montreux Jazz Festival on African soil. The reveal kicks off the build-up to the festival, which returns to the Franschhoek Valley from 19 to 21 March 2027.
Michael always carries a sketchbook, and he fills it with people, nature and architecture.
For several years he has drawn at jazz concerts and live performances. He noticed that people enjoyed watching him work, so he came up with a way to share it. He projects his iPad screen onto a wall above the performers and draws in real time, using rapid mark-making to capture the light, movement and energy in the room.
He describes drawing at live events as ‘tapping into a collective flow state.’
Drawing has been part of his life since early childhood. After major spinal surgery, holding a pen or paintbrush was a significant challenge. Art became an important part of his rehabilitation.
He went on to study design at the Cape Town Creative Academy and then at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock. As a student, he started drawing at a nearby wine bar, Openwine, where he was invited to draw at the weekly jazz sessions.
His first solo exhibition was hosted by The Test Kitchen restaurant, which was then also at the Old Biscuit Mill. Today he also draws familiar Cape Town scenes and works in oils, watercolour, charcoal, ink and, more recently, ceramic underglaze.
Michael says becoming the second South African artist to design the world-renowned festival’s poster is a huge honour.
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He looks forward to being inside the festival next year, interpreting and capturing it all.
Commissioning an artist to make the poster is a tradition that began at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland in 1967. Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, David Bowie and Damien Hirst are among the legends who have been given real creative freedom to interpret the festival in their own way.
The tradition arrived in South Africa last year with Sam Nhlengethwa’s poster.
Michael is also a wheelchair user, and he has spoken about how accessibility is part of his lived experience, including at concerts. Most venues are inaccessible, and he gets to gigs through careful planning and the support of friends and family. He says it remains an ongoing conversation that demands greater attention. In Franschhoek, the festival team will be supporting his access to all the action.
Programme details and tickets for the Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek are yet to be made available.
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