Heading back to town for its ninth year, the Stonnington Jazz Festival will have you toe-tappin’ to sweet jazz tunes and will showcase 100 per cent Australian jazz talent.
Kicking off on May 15, the festival will host many big names, with a program that promises to entertain jazz lovers and those keen to hear something a little different.
Directed by Adrian Jackson – the artistic director of Australia’s largest jazz festival, Wangaratta Jazz – the festival has cemented itself as an important event on the music calendar.
“The first year of the festival was very successful and everyone was really enthusiastic about it. The success of the event has just snowballed from there,” Mr Jackson said.
“Every event we put on the main program is something special. It gives audiences a chance to explore and enjoy something different.”
Last year, the festival won the award for the Best Cultural, Arts or Music Event in Victoria at the Australian Event Awards.
“This annual event generates incredible cultural and financial benefits for Stonnington and Melbourne alike,” Mr Jackson said.
“Stonnington has always hosted jazz events in the past, so it was only fitting that this yearly festival continue to be held in the area.”
As always, visitors to the festival will be spoilt for choice with a great line-up of musicians.
Chris McNulty, a Melbourne-born jazz vocalist returning home from New York, will open the festival.
“Another highlight is James Morrison playing alongside his two sons William and Harry in the James Morrison Inheritance,” Mr Jackson said.
The festival includes artists trying to break in to the jazz scene.
“Apart from our notable performers, an important part of what we try to do is give young up-and-coming musicians an opportunity to be part of an event that receives quite a lot of attention.”
“If they can deliver a strong performance for the audience, it gives their careers a bit of a push long.”
A fine example is Sarah McKenzie. She played her first gig at the festival four years ago.
“Sarah has been a guest vocalist with James Morrison, worked with the Big Band and has gone on to bigger and better things. She’s based in the USA and has performed at jazz festivals in the states and at the Umbria Jazz festival in Italy,” Mr Jackson said.
The Malvern Town Hall will also host The Syncopators, one of Australia’s much-loved jazz bands who will be celebrating their 30th anniversary with a one-night-only performance.
“Jazz events usually attract visitors for the first time. However, with the Stonnington festival, we usually see a lot of familiar faces – a committed jazz audience,” Mr Jackson said.
“We are always delighted to be putting on a program of 100 per cent Australian jazz, so if anyone’s a bit curious to hear something unique, come along.”
Venues include Chapel off Chapel, Mt. Erica Hotel, Duldig Studio and many more.
>> The festival runs until May 25. For information visit www.stonningtonjazz.com.au
>> Buy tickets online or call (03) 8290 7000.
