They range from big international to boutique festival. Summer is here and you can choose from a major international such as John Zorn or the SunRa Arkestra through to local Sydney heros James Greening or Tango Saloon, at the Jazzgroove Summer festival or Andrea Keller or Gian Slater at the Melbourne International Womens Jazz Festival.
Here's a quick glimpse at Festivals coming up over the next few months
The Melbourne International Womens Jazz Festival encourages and supports women as jazz musicians, and composers. Held every December in Melbourne its all about the music and the exploration of musical ideas.
This festival is a chance to showcase women from around the globe and always encourages those of us in the mwijf office (many of whom are active jazz performers themselves) to continue questioning the definition of Jazz. The program kicks off on the 8th December with Audrey Boyle.
On this year’s Sydney Festival bill in the jazz arena is young trumpeter-composer Ambrose Akinmusire with his quintet. Signed to Blue Note Records, the New York Times has described his music as “limber, straight ahead jazz with mystery and pop instincts”.
“I chose a trumpet; I thought it would be easy because it only has three keys. The first day I took it home I realised how hard it was. From there I was immediately in love with it… it just felt like part of me,” said Akinmusire.
Sun Ra Arkestra return again to our shores performing under the direction of veteran avant-jazz saxophonist Marshall Allen, the legendary 12-piece Sun Ra Arkestra takes us on an intergalactic journey spanning the past, the present and the future. They will also be performing in Melbourne.
And for those looking for a different experience Japan’s Soil & Pimp Sessions will be blazing “death jazz” with their feverish piano and percussion.
Back for its fifth year is the Jazzgroove Summer Festival. A local festival celebrating the amazing depth and talent of the Sydney Music scene, featuring artists such as Band of Five Names with Phil Slater, Matt McMahon and Simon Barker or hot young guns such as Ben Panucci Trio or Matilda Abraham.
This festival also features free outdoor events in Redfern Park where you can groove to Ben Walsh’s Crusty Suitcase Band, the Brassholes or The Gulls. Not to mention the late night jam sessions, where one never knows just what to expect.
Then to top it all off in March, the Adelaide Festival is showcasing one of the world’s most prolific and legendary avant-garde musicians, John Zorn making his Australian debut with an exclusive, one-time-only series of exclusive concerts across four marathon evenings.
Artistic Director David Sefton said: “I am thrilled and proud that Adelaide Festival will present John Zorn in Australia for the first and only time ever. The epic scale of these concerts is a testament to the range and diversity of Zorn’s music. There really is no one else like him and this is Australia’s chance to finally see him live.”
More info –
December – Melbourne International Womens Jazz Festival – www.mwijf.org
January – Sydney Festival – www.sydneyfestival.org.au
January – Jazzgroove Summer Festival – www.jazzgroove.com
March – Adelaide Festival – www.adelaidefestival.com.au
Image Ambrose Akinmusire
