Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues

An exciting program featuring Australia’s premier jazz and blues artists, new commissions and collaborations, never before seen archival footage, an exclusive international appearance and the distinguished National Jazz Awards, mark the 30th edition of the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues.   

Co-Artistic Directors Zoe Hauptmann, Eugene Ball and Scott Solimo have fashioned a rich and diverse program, which for the first time will be presented digitally due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, in an extended 7-day timeframe from Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November. 

Highlights include:
The National Jazz Awards
Two finalist performances will be screened nightly online accompanied by some of Australia’s top pianists. Each finalist’s performance will be recorded in their home state and the winners and runners’ up announce on Saturday October 31st. 

2016 Allan Browne Memorial Concert
In a fitting tribute to a man who left an indelible mark on the Festival, rare and previously unpublished footage of performances by leading Australian jazz artists from the 2016 Allan Browne Memorial Concert will be broadcast across the Festival. 

Keller I Murphy I Ball 
Keller I Murphy I Ball, unites multi award-winning pianist Andrea Keller, trumpeter Eugene Ball and bassist Tamara Murphy. 

I Heart Improvisation
Commissioned by the Festival, I Heart Improvisation presents exhilarating, improvised short works from leading and emerging artists - Maria Moles (drums), Scott Tinkler (trumpet) and a co-presentation with the MJC featuring duo WOLFA aka Jenny Barnes (voice) and Mick Meagher (electric bass).

Kika Sprangers Large Ensemble (Netherlands) (pictured)
The Australian debut of 2018 Amersfoort Laureate, Kika Sprangers Large Ensemble. In the Netherlands and beyond, Dutch saxophonist Kika is regarded as one of the finest young talents in contemporary jazz.
 

AND MORE! 

For the online festival Wangaratta has partnered with many organisations including  COMA (Creative Original Music Adelaide) and the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel in Adelaide, Sydney’s Venue 505, the Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival and SIMA (Sydney Improvised Music Association), the MJC (Melbourne Jazz Co-operative) and Australian Jazz Museum in Melbourne.  

Proudly supported by PBS 106.7 FM.

 

FESTIVAL DETAILS  

Dates:       Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November  

Tickets:    ON SALE from 9 am Wednesday 30 September 

Day Pass: $15 inc b/fee, Festival Pass for access to all events: $79 inc b/fee 

Program & bookings: https://wangarattajazz.com