Free Jazz at Fed Square
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Free Jazz at Fed Square

This event is part of the 2024 Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

Starting the 2024 festival with a bang, join us for a jam-packed lineup of international legends, local heroes and iconic films over three days of free festival fare at Fed Square.

Friday night begins with a Smoking Ceremony to officially launch the 2024 festival, followed by Afro-Cuban powerhouse, La Influencia performing new material from their upcoming album, as well as covers of Cuban legends. The Cat Empire’s founding firebrand trumpet-playing vocalist Harry James Angus will close the night.

Saturday kicks off with our unmissable Second Line Parade bringing the vibrant spirit of the New Orleans streets to Melbourne, with NOLA’s beloved TBC Brass Band leading the way and storming the Fed Square stage. Following this explosion of funk-fuelled brass will be the Tony Allen Experience—a powerhouse 12-piece band featuring the country’s finest Afro and jazz musicians, paying tribute to the great Nigerian Afrobeat drummer, innovator and musical director Tony Allen.

Spend Sunday afternoon soaking up the sun with three incredible films, Louis in London, Jazz on a Summer’s Day and Summer of Soul. Each film showcases archival footage from an all-star lineup of musical legends—including Louis Armstrong, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Sly & the Family Stone, Gladys Knight, B.B. King, Thelonious Monk and more.

Friday 18 Oct

5.30pm – Smoking Ceremony
6:00pm – La Influencia
7.30pm – Harry James Angus

Saturday 19 Oct

1:00pm – Second Line Street Party (starts at Southbank and finishes at the Fed Square Main Stage – click here for more details)
2:00pm – TBC Brass Band
3:00pm – Tony Allen Experience

Sunday 20 Oct

2:00pm – Jazz on Film: Louis in London (more info)
3:00pm – Jazz on Film: Jazz on a Summer’s Day (more info)
4:30pm – Jazz on Film: Summer of Soul (more info)