Geri Allen will headline the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz in November.
The US pianist, who has worked with Ornette Coleman, Charlie Haden, Oliver Lake and Paul Motian, will perform with bassist Kenny Davis and drummer Mark Johnson.
The 10-piece ICP Orchestra, featuring Misha Mengelberg and Han Bennink, will lead a Dutch contingent in a celebration of the 400th anniversary of contact between Australia and the Netherlands.
The Dutch Dare, as the program is being tagged, will also include Available Jelly, the Eric Boeren 4tet and the Tobias Delius Quartet.
Collaborations between Dutch and local musicians will also be a highlight. Misha Mengelberg will perform with saxophonist Elliott Dalgleish, Eric Boeren with saxophonist Tim O’Dwyer, and Lloyd Swanton will be a guest bassist with the Tobias Delius Quartet.
Other international guests include Cuban trumpeter Luis Valle and New Zealand saxophonist Jeff Henderson.
The Australian lineup will feature James Morrison, Joe Chindamo, Paul Grabowsky, Dale Barlow, Erroll Buddle, Graeme Lyall, the Australian Art Orchestra, Scott Tinkler, Phil Slater, Paul Williamson and Eugene Ball, James Muller, Andrea Keller, Steve Hunter, Niko Schauble, Jamie Oehlers, David Theak and Andy Sugg.
Jazz singers include Nichaud Fitzgibbon, Carol Ralph, Kristin Berardi, Julie O’Hara with Bopkick, and Judy Jacques, Rebecca Barnard, Margie Lou Dyer and Margot Barrett with gospel group, Calling All Angels.
Classic jazz is represented by Brett Iggulden’s Jazz Hounds, Geoff Power’s Classic Jazz, Carol Ralph’s Blue Rhythm Band, Al Davey’s Monstars, Bopkick and Stevenson’s Rockets.
Chicago harmonica player and singer Billy Boy Arnold headlines the blues program.
Tickets to the 2006 TAC Wangaratta Festival Of Jazz, which takes place between Friday 3 – Monday 6 November, are on sale from 6 July.
For full details and tickets go to the Festival’s website www.wangaratta– jazz.org.au
The Festival’s toll-free number is 1800 803 944.
For accommodation information call (03) 5721 2552 (homestay) or (03) 5723 1333 (schoolstay).
Cullens Australian Tours offer a day trip from Melbourne on Saturday, 4 November and one on Sunday 5, November, both priced at $100. Call 1800 803 944 for bookings.
Photo: Geri Allen
