The Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF) returns for its 27th edition from October 18, once again transforming the city into Australia’s jazz epicentre.
The 10-day festival features more than 400 artists from 12 countries playing in 109 events across 34 venues. Over one-third of the program will be free to attend.
Party starters: TBC Brass Band. Photo supplied
Opening weekend kicks off with a New Orleans-inspired Second Line Street Party, a vibrant parade through Melbourne’s CBD led by the TBC Brass Band from New Orleans. Filled with the infectious energy of a NOLA street march, the parade ends in Federation Square, lighting the fuse on a weekend of free events in the precinct.
With a collective tally of 34 Grammy wins, 99 Grammy nominations, and one Oscar statuette, the artists performing this year are among the giants of the genre.
Saturday night will see the return of the much-anticipated Jazz at the Bowl. This year, the event is headlined by Herbie Hancock, who will be joined by bass virtuoso Marcus Miller and Australian soul star Bumpy for a marathon celebration of jazz and funk.
Herbie Hancock. Photo supplied
Esperanza Spalding, the five-time Grammy-winning bassist, vocalist, and composer, will present a festival-only performance at Hamer Hall, blending her masterful musicianship with contemporary dance into Off Brand gOdds, an interdisciplinary collaboration with the New York-based Antonio Brown Dance Company,
Antonio Sánchez, the renowned Mexican percussionist, returns to MIJF with his critically acclaimed Birdman Live in which he performs his improvised score live on stage alongside a screening of the Oscar-winning film Birdman.
For lovers of orchestral jazz, Orchestra Victoria will present Rhapsody in Blue at 100: A Celebration of Orchestral Jazz, featuring Japanese pianist Makoto Ozone and Melbourne’s PanoramaBrasil. This special evening will honour the legacies of George Gershwin, Antônio Carlos Jobim, and Chick Corea and take the audience on a journey through some of the most iconic works of the 20th century.
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This year’s MIJF line-up includes performances from some of the most exciting names in contemporary jazz.
Nubya Garcia, one of the brightest stars of the UK jazz scene, will bring her innovative sound to Melbourne for a performance at 170 Russell blending orchestral arrangements with R&B, jazz, broken beat, and dub.
Steam Down, a multi-award-winning collective from London, will make their Australian debut at MIJF 2024. Known for their high-energy performances that blur the lines between jazz, hip-hop, and electronic music, Steam Down has been at the forefront of the UK’s jazz renaissance. Look no further for a glimpse into the future of the form.
MIJF 2024 also platforms some of the most vibrant players in the Australian scene.
Bumpy, the award-winning Noongar composer and vocalist premiere her new work, Tooni, at the Arts Centre Melbourne’s Fairfax Studio. Commissioned by MIJF and the Australian Art Orchestra, Tooni is a deeply personal exploration of survival, revival, and the sharing of knowledge, reflecting Bumpy’s journey and her connection to her heritage.
Bumpy. Photo supplied
Erica Tucceri, a Melbourne-based flautist and composer, will debut her MIJF commission at Howler. Her new work, featuring an extended ensemble and string quartet blends lush harmonies and driving rhythms inspired by her jazz house roots and the sounds of 1970s Brazil.
Vince Jones, one of Australia’s most revered jazz musicians, will perform at Malvern Town Hall, bringing his signature blend of jazz, soul, and pop to the festival. Joining him is Nicole Zuraitis, the New York-based vocalist and pianist who recently won the Grammy Award for Best Vocal Jazz Album.
Broadening their horizons in film, MIJF will also present some of the most culturally significant and entertaining jazz documentaries and films across select days at ACMI and Federation Square.
Spend Sunday with three remarkable films: Louis in London (Australian exclusive), Jazz on a Summer’s Day and Questlove’s multi-award-winning Summer of Soul. All showcase 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.
Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes. Image supplied
Two films will screen at ACMI: Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes, explores the life and music of the legendary drummer, composer, bandleader, and social activist through a remarkable series of creative peaks, struggles and personal reinvention; Luther: Never Too Much, zooms in on the American pop singer/songwriter Luther Vandross’ story through his own words with input from friends and musical collaborators.
For more information and ticketing, visit Melbourne International Jazz Festival.
18 – 27 October 2024
Various locations across Melbourne
