Now in its twenty-first year, the Melbourne International Jazz Festival has announced this year’s line-up for the June 1 – 10 event. The festival spans ten days with over 100 events across 26 venues and nearly 400 Australian, international and emerging artists.
The 2018 program features numerous international artists such as funk legend Maceo Parker (USA) paying tribute to Ray Charles, jazz-blues chanteuse Madeleine Peyroux (USA), the (inter) stellar Sun Ra Arkestra(USA) and the irrepressibly energetic Yemen Blues (USA); plus modern masters such as Branford Marsalis (USA), Gretchen Parlato (USA), Christian McBride (USA) and Terri Lyne Carrington (USA); alongside future masters such as Nubya Garcia (UK) and Francesco Cafiso (Italy).
Australian artists showcased in the festival program, include The Others – a new collaboration between Paul Grabowsky AO, James Morrison and Kram; Harry James Angus’ new project, Struggle With Glory; and Brenton Foster as the recipient of the PBS Young Elder of Jazz Commission.
Melbourne-based Barney McAll will premiere two works: Trilogy of Cycles at Birrarung Marr’s Federation Bells and Sweet Sweet Spirit featuring music by the great gospel composer Doris Akers at Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre.
As well as the ticketed events there will also be free festival community events including Jazz Massive – a huge participatory mass-music making event on the lawns of State Library Victoria.
Melbourne International Jazz Festival Artistic Director, Michael Tortoni, says, “This year our program focuses on the waves of influence that jazz has – both within itself and also the influence it has on other music genres. We are really excited to showcase some of the future directions of this vital and ever-evolving artform,” said Tortoni.
The festival’s international exchange program with the Tokyo and Singapore jazz festivals is supporting the development and world premiere of The Gravity Project, which brings together contemporary Japanese and Australian improvisers Paul Grabowsky AO, Masaki Nakamura, Kuniko Obina and Aaron Choulai and the Chok Kerong Trio from Singapore.
Jazz Out West returns with local DJ, radio broadcaster and music personality Mz Rizk as Guest Programmer, focussing on a range of experiences not usually found in a jazz festival, including a cross-genre tribute to Nina Simone and emerging crossover artists Thando, Cool Out Sun, KillaHertz and Kalala & The Round Midnights.
More information can be found at: Melbourne Jazz Fest
