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Melbourne’s annual International Jazz Festival begins on Friday night, and it’s not only jazz fans excited about the festival’s expanded line-up. Local jazz musicians have been jotting down must-see gigs to catch in between their own shows.
Held annually since 1998, this year’s 10-day festival features artists from 17 countries, has 11 world premieres, and an expanded program of free concerts.
Katie Noonan, with her bandmates in Elixir, are performing at this month’s Melbourne International Jazz Festival. Credit:
Spread across 30 venues, the festival includes Chaka Khan in an Australian exclusive, the event’s largest-ever international line-up, and begins with a free performance from First Nations artist Bumpy on Friday night at Federation Square, followed by local eight-piece powerhouse Jazz Party.
Khan, who is soon to be inducted into the rock’n’roll Hall of Fame, headlines Jazz at the Bowl at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Saturday with Nile Rodgers and CHIC, Kaiit and Horns of Leroy.
Barney McAll
Melbourne-based pianist Barney McAll’s group, Supernatural Dirt, creates “instant songs, like spontaneous compositions,” and will be at Max Watts on October 26 with seven-piece ensemble Teymori and Alexander Flood.
McAll said the festival program is packed with world-class performers, and he’s aiming to see several local and international artists. “I definitely want to hear Cecile McLorin Salvant,” he said.
Salvant, 34, has won three Grammy Awards and released her debut album in 2010, soon after winning the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocal Competition.
“Her piano player, Sullivan Fortner, is an incredible artist as well, and Cecile simply oozes creativity … she’s the real deal. There will be goosebumps,” McAll said.
Cecile McLorin Salvant is among the international artists in town for this month’s annual jazz festival.Credit:
McAll is also looking forward to SFJazz Collective making its Australian debut, and playing one night only, at Melbourne Recital Centre on Thursday, October 26.
“All drummers should go and hear SFJazz Collective with Kendrick Scott, who is one of the greatest drummers in the world,” McAll said. “Kendrick is also playing with [Venezuelan pianist] Ed Simon, at the Bowery Theatre on October 24.”
Vanessa Perica
Kendrick Scott is also on the radar of composer and conductor Vanessa Perica, who launches new album The Eye is the First Circle with an 18-piece orchestra at Melbourne Recital Centre on Thursday, October 26.
“I’m super pumped to see Kendrick Scott on October 22, playing with Chris Potter on tenor sax and Mike Rodriguez on trumpet, just an astonishing front line of musicians,” Perica said.
Jazz drummer Kendrick Scott will play songs from new album, Corridors, when he performs at Chapel Off Chapel on October 22.Credit:
“It’s so rare to see musicians like this … musicians of the highest calibre on the world stage, and they haven’t been out in a long time. I’ve never seen them live.
“I’m also looking forward to Marquis Hill at The JazzLab, and that’s with Melbourne’s Brett Williams on piano, who is from America, but we’ve claimed him. A rising star of the scene, Makaya McCraven is on drums, and with Marquis on trumpet, it will be exceptional.”
Marquis Hill plays at The JazzLab in Brunswick on October 23 and 24.Credit:
Katie Noonan
Singer and songwriter Katie Noonan’s festival wish list includes the Michelle Nicolle Quartet, Canadian trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, and multi-award winning vocalist Kristin Berardi from north Queensland.
A multiple ARIA nominee, including wins for best jazz album in 2005, 2009 and 2011, Noonan will launch Elixir’s new album A Small Shy Truth at Melbourne Recital Centre on October 28.
“Michelle Nicolle is one of my vocal heroes, an amazing musician, and is playing the night before us. Michelle recently put out an album inspired by the music of Bach, and my first love is classical music,” Noonan said.
“Michelle is very special, and her quartet features her husband, Ronnie Ferella on drums, Geoff Hughes on guitar, and Tom Lee on bass, and that’s at The JazzLab.
“And if we have the time, I’d love to see Ingrid Jensen, an incredible trumpet player who’s playing this weekend at The JazzLab … a phenomenal Canadian trumpeter and composer.”
Program director Hadley Agrez said the festival was “in the top echelon of major jazz festivals around the globe” and for organisers, this year has been the most ambitious to date.
“We have over 400 artists from 17 countries around the globe performing to crowds right across Melbourne, stretching from Werribee to Clayton, and everywhere in between,” said Mr Agrez, who is also the festival’s chief executive officer.
“We couldn’t be more excited to share it with the people of Melbourne … there is genuinely something for everyone in the program.”
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