Melbourne International Jazz Festival is bringing back the festival season, revealing an updated program of more than 70 live performances and events
Victoria’s summer festival season is finally returning with Melbourne International Jazz Festival revealing an updated program of more than 70 live performances and events.
The festival’s 2021 program includes 16 premieres and album launches, now packed into a huge four-day long weekend across new dates from Thursday 2 –Sunday 5 December.
Taking over all corners of the city including the new Jazz Hub at The Toff in Town, which will bring late-night events back to the CBD, MIJF promise to showcase the very best of Victoria’s world renowned, diverse and unique jazz scene.
What you need to know
- The Melbourne International Jazz Festival will run from Thursday 2 – Sunday 5 December
- She’s just released her debut single ‘Bout of Heartbreak’
- Presale tickets available from 12pm Thursday 21 October, general on sale from Friday 22 October
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
“With more than 260 days spent in lockdown it goes without saying that it has been an extraordinarily difficult 18 months for everyone in Melbourne, but in particular, for our live performance communities,” said Melbourne International Jazz Festival artistic director Michael Tortoni.
“So, I am thrilled that after last year’s online event and this year’s postponement, our 24th festival will, finally, be going ahead with a full program of live events. The great Louis Armstrong famously said, “music is life itself” and I am so excited for Melbourne to come alive once more – the fact that the Melbourne International Jazz Festival will play a part in that makes me extraordinarily proud.”
Melbourne Jazz Festival highlights
In a special pre-festival preview event on the Hamer Hall stage alongside the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Opening Night Gala will now take place on Friday 26 November, with MC Eddie Perfect and a lineup including Vince Jones, Harry James Angus, Kylie Auldist, Michelle Nicolle, Thando, which will also be possible to livestream.
At 170 Russell, experimental hip hop, neo soul and future-jazz outfit 30/70 will join viola-jazz pioneer Tamil Rogeon (The Raah Project), showcasing tunes from his critically acclaimed recent release, ‘Son of Nyx’.
Award-winning musician, dancer and directorAmos Roach will premiere his new commission as part of MIJF’s inaugural First Nations residency program.
At the Melbourne Recital Centre, audiences will be treated to the world premiere ofThe Old Rugged Cross which sees Australian jazz legend Paul Grabowsky collaborate with Melbourne’s siren of soul, Emma Donovan.
And at At the newly created Jazz Hub, described as the beating heart of MIJF, which will run every night of the festival at The Toff in Town, audiences can find album launches, DJs and dream collabs that can only exist within a festival context including late night jams led by local legends The Rookies.
For all the details, head to their website here.
