The CRYPT Jazz Club

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Our Story

The birth of The CRYPT Jazz Restaurant was the realization of a dream of one man whose love for jazz and good food drove him to open a jazz club in Cape Town. ​Derk Blaisse's dream is shared by the Dean of the St George’s Cathedral, Michael Weeder, a jazz enthusiast himself, who has a vision for Cape Town’s Cathedral as the ‘people’s church’ reaching out to diverse communities through The Crypt - and the universal language of jazz music. Born in Amsterdam, self-taught pianist Derk Blaisse is well-known in Franschhoek, having relocated there in 1995. In 2000 he started the National Cheese Festival in South Africa, and together with his late wife Charlotte Daneel, opened La Fromagerie Restaurant at La Grange in Franschhoek. The restaurant became famous for both its Cheese Platters, and their weekly event, "JAZZ ON FRIDAYS", which featured some of the Cape’s top jazz musicians, including his own jazz band, Cape Dutch Connection. After 11 years of "JAZZ ON FRIDAYS" in Franschhoek with Derk Blaisse’s band Cape Dutch Connection, The Crypt Jazz Restaurant opened its doors on the 19th of April 2013, to create both a platform for Cape jazz musicians as well as home for all jazz lovers. The Crypt is part of Desmond Tutu’s

Memorial and Witness Centre which memorizes the famous march held in 1989, a few months before Mandela was released from prison. The march started at the Centre which in itself is part of St George’s Cathedral built by architect Herbert Baker and completed in 1890. A jazz enthusiast, the Dean of St. George’s Cathedral - Michael Weeder - has a vision for the Cathedral as ‘the people’s church’. The Crypt Jazz Restaurant has formed part of this vision by reaching out to diverse communities through the universal language of music. The original interior of The Crypt Jazz Restaurant was designed by the late Charlotte Daneel, founder of La Grange Art and Interiors in Franschhoek. ​ Now, at 80 years of age and with a continued passion for jazz, Derk Blaisse together with his new management team have set out to revive The Crypt. The venue will re-brand to "The CRYPT Jazz Club" and will continue to support local jazz musicians and offer Capetonians and tourists with the ultimate "premier LIVE Jazz Experience" in Cape Town. The refurbishment will boast a new space for a lounge / bar as well as a Wine Tasting area and serves as a fantastic venue for private functions.

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