Program announced for the Sydney International Womens Jazz Festival
Wednesday 2 – Sunday 13 November 2016
Melissa Aldana Trio (Chile/USA), Ingrid and Christine Jensen (Canada/USA) with the Mike Nock Trio, Tricia Evy (France), Tara Tiba (Iran), Sydney Women’s Jazz Collective, Shannon Barnett Quartet, Gian Slater, Barney McAll & Simon Barker Trio, That Red Head (Lozz Benson), Queen Porter Stomp, Microfiche and Hieronymus Trio, Festival Band Night at Venue 505 (Sorcha Albuquerque Trio, Crossover and Pheno), special events at the Powerhouse Museum, Jazz Record Fair and music on the Goods Line.
Now in its fifth year, the Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival (SIWJF) brings together a range of musicians and composers from Australia and beyond. Established in 2012 with support from the City of Sydney, the annual festival is fast becoming a world class international jazz festival with a spotlight on Women. This year’s festival program is a mix of local and international jazz stars with ticketed and free events that celebrate the talents of women in music.
The Festival welcomes the Melissa Aldana Trio (Chile/US), making their Sydney debut as part of an Australian tour. Also premiering are acclaimed jazz stars Ingrid and Christine Jensen (CAN/US) collaborating with the newly formed 10-piece Sydney Women’s Jazz Collective as well as the Mike Nock Trio. The Jazz Collective is a major local jazz project and will perform a concert of specially commissioned pieces by established and rising Australian jazz composers. Cultural diversity is also emphasised with artists such as Tricia Evy from France and Tara Tiba from Iran.
A new component, Jazz at the Powerhouse offers free activities including: weekend screenings of the documentary The Girls in The Band, meet the US Director Judy Chaikin, a curator’s tour of the some of the Powerhouse’s remarkable instruments and a performance by the Young Women’s Jazz Orchestra.
Second week highlights include the Sydney Women’s Jazz Collective a 10-piece powerhouse, created especially for the festival. These talented members represent some of Australia’s up and coming jazz stars. Making its debut appearance, the Sydney Women’s Jazz Collective is led by trumpeter Ellen Kirkwood and bassist Hannah James. Featuring a six-piece horn section and four-piece rhythm section, the band includes several past winners of the prestigious Jann Rutherford Memorial Award for young women in jazz, performing with the acclaimed Sydney saxophonist Sandy Evans.
The Jazz Collective will present premiere performances of eight specially commissioned works by Andrea Keller (Vic) and local composing talents Jenna Cave, Glenn Doig and Ellen Kirkwood. Joining the band in a very special international collaboration are Canadian/US jazz stars Ingrid and Christine Jensen.
The Festival finishes with free music performances and a Vinyl Record & CD Fair at Foundry 616 on Sunday 13 November.
Presented by the Sydney International Jazz Festival and the Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA) with support of CITY OF SYDNEY and Anthony and Sharon Lee Foundation.
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