This program aims to celebrate jazz as a constantly evolving art-form and will feature artists from Australia, Ethiopia, Israel, Italy, Poland and the USA. On the cards is a series of close encounters, workshops, family events and free concerts for all to enjoy.
Jazz wunderkind Esperanza Spalding will open the festival with a premiere of her new project Emily’s D+Evolution while the legendary Wayne Shorter Quartet will close out the festival with a bang.
Other festival highlights include American modern jazz experimentalists the Robert Glasper Trio, Snarky Puppy, as well as Ethiopian legend Mulatu Astatke collaborating with the Melbourne-based Black Jesus Experience.
A conglomeration of jazz greats from Poland and Finland forms the Tomasz Stańko Band, including trumpeting genius Tomasz Stanko, pianist Alexi Tuomarila, bass player Slawomir Kurkiewicz and drummer Olavi Louhivuori while the talented Hiromi will join contra bass guitarist Anthony Jackson and drummer Simon Phillips for a virtuosic experience.
The festival will also also see a presentation of Van Morrison’s songbook by Australia’s foremost jazz vocalist, Vince Jones. He will be joined by the seven-piece Astral Orchestra, spearheaded by director Matt McMahon, for the show.
