Albert Dadon is the new artistic director of Melbourne Jazz, the event formerly known as the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.
Alan Howe, executive editor of The Herald & Weekly Times is the new chairman, the position held until recently by Mr Dadon.
The reorganisation was prompted by the decision last month of Umbria Jazz to cut its ties with Melbourne Jazz.
Carlo Pagnotta, who was artistic director of both festivals, said he had to severe the relationship because the Melbourne budget was insufficient to bring out enough high-profile international groups.
“If a festival wants to call itself international it cannot have more local artists participating than foreign artists with particular reference to important American artists,” said Mr Pagnotta.
Melbourne Jazz will run for 11 days from May 3 to 13 and will be centred at Crown Casino, Federation Square and the Hamer Hall. Bennetts Lane will be one two clubs also used.
Despite the setbacks of the past weeks, Mr Dadon is promising to stage an event in 2007 on par with the best jazz festivals in the world.
“I am excited to be preparing a program which will attract some of the biggest names in jazz,” he said. “Musicians will gather here from the four corners of the world, joining forces with musicians from around Australia.”
Chick Corea and Gary Burton are two names rumoured to be part of next year’s international contingent.
Read more in The Age
Photo: Chick Corea courtesy of Belltown (Flickr)
