The Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues returns with high calibre artists from Australia and internationally.
The 35th Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues promises an exceptional four-day program across 11 local venues, featuring some of the country’s most exciting voices alongside international guests. Australian headliners include vocalist Emma Pask, First Nations saxophonist Marlene Cummins, Black Jesus Experience, Nicki Parrott Trio and three-time ARIA winner Jeff Lang.
International artists joining the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues include Dutch saxophonist Alexander the Hurricane Beets, Italian violinist Luca Ciarla, London guitarist Tom Ollendorff, Paris-based Leigh Barker and Sydney-based Japanese jazz artist Nana Koizumi. The festival launches on Friday 31 October with Mark Fitzgibbon and special guests at The Railyard Wangaratta, followed by Clayton Doley & the Flashy Dashbacks.
Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues
- When: Friday 31 October to Sunday 3 November
- Where: 11 venues across Wangaratta
- Tickets: Available now
The lineup
- Emma Pask
- Marlene Cummins
- Black Jesus Experience
- Nicki Parrott Trio
- Jeff Lang
- Alexander The Hurricane Beets
- Luca Ciarla
- Tom Ollendorff
- Leigh Barker
- Nana Koizumi
- Mark Fitzgibbon
- Clayton Doley & The Flashy Dashbacks
- Kevin Hunt
- Gorden Rytmeister
- Ben Robertson
- Bob Sedergreen
- Danny McKenna
- Dale Barlow
- Chris Johnstone
- Speedball
- Matt Jodrell
- Sam Anning
- Grant Arthur
- Carl Mackey
- Daniel Susnjar
- Rex Goh
- Lauren White
- Calvin Welch
- Danny Fischer
- Jordan Murray
- JK Kim
- Conor Chaplin
- Heather Stewart
- Gusto Gusto
- The Blues Brothers 3677
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Festival highlights include the 35th National Jazz Awards featuring brass, held at The Institute with $12,000 prize money up for grabs. The popular Tiny Jazz Series returns to the Old Baptist Church after its successful launch last year, while the Community Stage and Festival Hub extends to two days in the Cathedral District.
Emma Pask will perform at Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre on Friday 31 October, joined by Kevin Hunt, Gorden Rytmeister and Ben Robertson. The beloved Australian jazz vocalist, known for her collaborative works with James Morrison, will deliver timeless swinging jazz standards, upbeat Latin rhythms, tender ballads and raucous blues.
Melbourne-based Ethio-jazz ensemble Black Jesus Experience brings their 10-piece lineup to St Patrick’s Hall on Saturday 1 November with guest Bob Sedergreen. Blues virtuoso Jeff Lang headlines Sunday 2 November at St Patrick’s Hall with Danny McKenna on drums, showcasing his intricate and melodic musical style.
The festival continues to evolve with new venues and programming, cementing Wangaratta’s reputation as a destination for legendary jazz and blues. Festival Director Serge Carnovale describes the event as a wonderful weekend of live jazz and blues with a diverse and eclectic program.
For more information, head here.
