Melbourne International Jazz Festival

Applications are now open for MIJF’s First Nations Artist Residency Program—presented in partnership with the Australian Art Orchestra.

The successful candidate will present a commissioned performance at the 2025 Melbourne International Jazz Festival, and will receive fees to develop and present the work, along with a professional and artistic development budget, producing and mentoring support, networking opportunities and more.

Find out more: https://www.melbournejazz.com/industry/first-nations-artist-residency/

📷 2023 program leader Bumpy, photo by Odessa Jones

We made it! 🎺🥁 A huge and heartfelt thanks to each of the 107 people—and one philanthropic foundation partner—who made a donation towards our Amplify Jazz appeal.

With your support, we surpassed our $50,000 fundraising target—with .australia's Plus1 program matching every one of those donations that helped us reach our goal; immediately amplifying the impact of your support. We're delighted to have welcomed 32 new donors to the MIJF community, and were stunned by the generosity of the 6 people who donated twice during the appeal, to help get us over the line.

Your support will help MIJF deliver another incredible 10-day festival this October—as well as support international showcasing opportunities for Australian jazz ensembles on global festival stages this year.

Thank you once again, jazz lovers.

Multi-award-winning Naarm-based artist and Noongar woman BUMPY opened last year’s MIJF with a stunning performance at Fed Square, and is deep into preparation for her creative commission, to be premiered at MIJF 2024. As part of her First Nations Artist Residency with MIJF, in partnership with the Australian Art Orchestra, she recently took a creative development trip to Noongar boodja, travelling with her mum for 3 weeks across Noongar lands, discussing their family history and experiences, language revitalisation, apical ancestry and modern reflections with their family. This valuable time on Country marks an integral part of the development of Bumpy’s work, and will inform the final performance—which audiences can look forward to seeing this October.

Our Amplify Jazz appeal is currently raising funds to support the reach of our Australian jazz artists, through artist and sector development initiatives like these—promoting a more equitable, inclusive and progressive jazz and improvised music sector. For the next 48 hours, every donation is being matched—dollar-for-dollar—thanks toCreative Australia’s Plus1 Program. You can read more about the appeal, and show your support, here: https://www.melbournejazz.com/support/donate/

📸 Will Hamilton-Coates Photography

Our friends at PBS 106.7FM Melbourne are in the midst of their Radio Festival drive, asking people to Join Today for a Sound Tomorrow. New or renewed members between 1 May and 30 June will be entered into major prize draws, and everyone who joins or renews before 26 May will also be in the running to win a Daily Prizes pack.

Today's prize includes a double pass to MIJF 2024's in demand Jazz at the Bowl—so get in to win!

More info: https://www.pbsfm.org.au/news/radio-festival-2024

The latest episode of our Jazz Talk podcast features artist and curator Zii Nzira with multi-award-winning guitarist, composer, singer, songwriter and bandleader Sylent Nqo. The two discuss the historical and cultural influences that have shaped jazz and contemporary music, before the recording finishes with a beautiful demonstration of Sylent's practice—and the healing power of music.

Following vital discussions as part of MIJF 2021 and 2022, this episode continues our Beyond Words series in collaboration with Multicultural Arts Victoria, recorded at The Channel and supported by Arts Centre Melbourne as part of the 2023 Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

Listen now:
https://www.melbournejazz.com/content-hub/?fwp_content_categories=podcast

📸 Will Hamilton-Coates Photography

Hand to Earth is taking their remarkable work, "The Crow," on tour after its acclaimed premiere at MIJF 2023. Co-commissioned by the Melbourne International Jazz Festival and Jazztopad (Poland), we're thrilled to see this extraordinary performance and band heading to the Lincoln Center in New York for the Jazztopad Festival NYC on June 15th, as well as performing at Suoni Per Il Popoli in Montreal on June 19th, the Ottawa Jazz Festival on June 22nd, and the Vancover Jazz Festival on June 26th.

📸 Emma Luker

In 2023, we supported trailblazing Australian electronic jazz rock trio Brekky Boy to tour to both South by Southwest (Austin, US) and London Jazz Festival, as part of our MIJF Showcase at The Barbican Centre. According to Brekky Boy, the experience was “mad”, featuring good food (including “walking tacos”), cool venues and lots of new audiences. Brekky Boy maximised this incredible opportunity by booking a series of other shows in UK and Finland, and have locked in some top secret future opportunities as a result.

Our Amplify Jazz campaign is currently raising money to support five more Australian ensembles to play at London Jazz Festival in 2024—amplifying the reach of our local artists and helping to develop international markets for their outstanding work.

You can read our full interview with Brekky Boy, and donate, via our website:
Read: https://www.melbournejazz.com/content_hub/walking-tacos-and-new-audiences-the-joys-of-international-touring/
Donate: https://www.melbournejazz.com/support/donate/

📸 Sahil Kotwani

We’re at the halfway point of our Amplify Jazz appeal and we've raised almost 65% of our $50,000 target! Now is the best time to show your support, with every donation being matched dollar-for-dollar by Creative Australia's Plus1 Program. This means your $15 will become $30, $50 will become $100 and $250 will become $500.

A heartfelt thank you to those who have already donated. As a not-for-profit arts organisation, every donation, big or small, will strengthen MIJF in 2024 and beyond—helping us deliver another world-class 10-day festival, and to support showcasing opportunities for Australian jazz musicians all over the world.

To see the impact of your support immediately doubled, donate before 31 May: bit.ly/SupportMIJF

Where do you want your jazz served this October?

Last year's festival brought world-class jazz to suburban stages, to CBD streets, to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, to side-street jazz clubs, to stunning recital halls—and even to a sax-filled spin class.

With your support we can do it all again in 2024. Now's your chance to double the impact of your donation and help us amplify jazz all around Melbourne this October—with all donations matched until 31 May (thanks to Creative Australia's Plus1 Program).

Donate via our website: https://www.melbournejazz.com/support/donate/

📷 Will Hamilton-Coates and Max Roux

Tune in to ’s Mystic Brew with this Tuesday 30 Jan at 9am to get a taste of our 2024 Take Note Jazz Leader , as she premieres new music in a special on-air performance with her live band.

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Settle in for the long weekend with the final MIJF 2023 session from the March series, live on ABC Jazz.

Local legend Michelle Nicolle and her quartet presented a collection of original work to a sold-out crowd at The JazzLab during the 2023 Melbourne International Jazz Festival, showcasing her “formidable technique and staggering range” (Rolling Stone). If you didn't make it to this one-off performance, now's your chance to catch what you missed.

Tune in live on Saturday 30 March, 4pm AEDT: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/jazztrack-live

Tomorrow on ABC Jazz: Acclaimed South African pianist, composer and improviser, Nduduzo Makhathini.

With eleven albums under his belt, including his previous Blue Note release named one of the ‘Best Jazz Albums of 2020’ by The New York Times, Makhathini is a formidable force on the international jazz scene. In 2023, he made his Australian debut at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, with his all-star trio featuring Zwelakhe-Duma Bell le Pere (bass) and Francisco Mela (drums).

Catch the breathtaking recording of one of their sold-out MIJF 2023 performances tomorrow at 4pm AEDT, on ABC Jazz.

“A truly singular pianist, an astonishingly gifted composer… one of South Africa’s most remarkable talents.” – Seton Hawkins, Jazz at Lincoln Center

Listen here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/jazztrack-live

MIJF is proud to announce that improvising flutist, composer and producer Erica Tucceri has been selected to lead the festival’s Take Note program in 2024.

Sitting at the cutting edge of Melbourne/Naarm's music scene, Erica Tucceri's impressive output encompasses work as a band leader, composer, improviser and prolific collaborator, having played an integral role on numerous celebrated local releases including ZFEX, Don Glori, Surprise Chef, WVR BVBY and more. She has garnered worldwide airplay and praise from the likes of Gilles Peterson and Motor City Drum Ensemble, alongside performances at festivals such as Golden Plains, Strawberry Fields, Ubud Village Jazz Festival (Indonesia), Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues, and MIJF.

“I am so honoured to be named the next Take Note leader. This award presents an incredible opportunity for career development and cross-generational mentorship, both for myself, and as a contribution towards the next generation of musicians.” – Erica Tucceri

Read more: https://www.melbournejazz.com/content_hub/introducing-mijfs-2024-take-note-jazz-leader/

Ingrid Jensen (Canada) has been hailed as one of the most gifted jazz trumpeters of her generation. Last October we were incredibly fortunate to be treated to two nights of her musical alchemy at The Jazzlab, as part of MIJF 2023. Right now, ABC Jazz is about to treat you to a live recording from this concert series: tomorrow at 4pm AEDT.

Don't miss it (but if you do, you can stream it for another 28 days or listen again live next Thursday at 10pm AEDT through ABC Jazz).

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/jazztrack-live/ingrid-jensen-at-the-2023-mijf/103540436

In recognition of International Women’s Day, and ahead of the premiere broadcast of her 'Take Note' commission (recorded live at MIJF 2023) on ABC Jazz this weekend, we caught up with last year's Jazz Leader—saxophonist, composer and bandleader, Cheryl Durongpisitkul. Cheryl shared her reflections on the program, and gave both an industry pulse check and a sneak peak into what 2024 has in store for her. She also shared some top picks of new music releases by inspiring local women and gender diverse jazz artists—including Romy Hernandez, Mia Barham, Ashley Ballet and Take Note alumni Elliot Lamb and Claire Cross.

Read the full article on our website: https://www.melbournejazz.com/content_hub/catching-up-with-2023-take-note-jazz-leader-cheryl-durongpisitkul/

Remember when all-star US supergroup Collective took over the Melbourne Recital Centre at last year's Jazz Festival? If you missed it—or want to relive the magic—listen to the live recording on ABC Jazz. You can stream it any time 'til the end of the month, or catch it on air this Thursday 10pm AEDT.

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/jazztrack-live/sf-jazz-collective-at-the-2023-melbourne-international-jazz-fest/103482270

"...dazzling technical proficiency combined with a probing jazz sensibility that seemed effortless." 5 stars, Limelight Magazine

This week, ABC Jazz is celebrating the talent of women creating jazz in Australia with its third annual Women of Jazz Fest. Among a range of great features hitting the airwaves from 4-10 March, we’re especially excited to tune into 2023 Take Note Jazz Leader Cheryl Durongpisitkul’s stunning Melbourne International Jazz Festival commission ‘I Still Miss You’ on Saturday 9 March, 4pm AEDT.

ABC Jazz is also launching its digital album Women of Jazz ’24, which features two tracks recorded live in concert by Michelle Nicolle at the 2023 Melbourne International Jazz Festival, as well as tracks from our Take Note alumni Claire Cross and Holly Moore.

Find out more and listen: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/jazz/features/specials/women-of-jazz-fest-24/103516414

Every Saturday in March on ABC Jazz, travel back to some of MIJF 2023's best performances.

Our friends at ABC Jazz are premiering a selection of world-class concerts recorded live at MIJF 2023, featuring performances by a series of incredible international and local artists including our 2023 Take Note Jazz Leader Cheryl Durongpisitkul, SFJAZZ Collective (USA), Nduduzo Makhathini (South Africa), Ingrid Jensen (Canada) and Michelle Nicolle Quartet.

Transport yourself back to some of the magic moments of last year’s Jazz Fest and stream all five concerts live at ABC Jazz every Saturday in March at 4pm AEDT, or catch them online for a further 28 days: https://www.abc.net.au/jazz/programs/jazztrack-live

📸 Eloise Coomber, Max Roux Photography & Videography, Will Hamilton-Coates Photography

We’re looking for our next Take Note Jazz Leader.

Now in its sixth year, Take Note addresses gender inequity in jazz by celebrating women and gender diverse leaders on stage and in high schools across Victoria.

With cash bursaries to support the development and presentation of new original music, paid mentoring and facilitation engagements in schools and universities, a substantial career development package and much more—it’s a game-changing opportunity.

Applications are open now and close on Monday 26 February 2024.

Read more and apply: https://www.melbournejazz.com/industry/take-note/

New Year! More Jazz! 🙌🏼💥 We’re so excited for this next year ahead—and thrilled to have you a part of our community of jazz lovers to experience every bit of it with us. For now—put the dates in your diary: MIJF 2024 | 18–27 October 2024.

And—2024 Jazz Club memberships are now on sale! If you’re looking to get the most out of your MIJF experience this year, join the club and sign up today. Two tiers to choose from, and plenty of perks—whether jazz is your newest passion or your life-long love. Check out our website for more details.

📸 Will Hamilton-Coates Photography

Creative Australia is currently taking applications for a range of travelling scholarships, including the Marten Bequest for Instrumental music which provides $50,000 funding over two years.

A great opportunity for young artists (21-35) to take their music across Australia and the world. See the link below for more details. Applications close Feb 6th.

https://creative.gov.au/investment-and-development/the-marten-bequest-scholarships/

A huge and heartfelt thanks to each of you in our MIJF community for making 2023 such an extraordinary year! From every audience member who came to a show, to the 550+ incredible local and international artists who performed over the 10-day festival program in October; our valued partners, donors and volunteers—we simply can't bring this world-class celebration of jazz and improvised music to life without you.

We loved every moment, and can't wait to do it all again with you in 2024! Wishing you a safe and happy festive season full of gratitude and great music. 🙌🎶

Melbourne Int'l Jazz Festival 2023 Highlights A heartfelt and enormous thanks to every single person—phenomenal artists and our incredible audiences—who shared in the magic of MIJF 2023 with us. Together...

In the Melbourne CBD today? We have some free lunchtime jazz for you! Head down to St James Melbourne (535 Bourke Street) and soak up the sounds of Liffey Trio feat. the sublime vocals of Billie Rafferty playing in the open air from 12–2:30pm for the last ‘Lunchtime Jazz at St James’ for 2023.

The Melbourne Women's International Jazz Festival (3—10 Dec) is off and running after a wonderful opening night on Sunday at The Jazzlab featuring AURA. A stellar line-up of ensembles are coming up across this full week ahead—including the Teri Roiger Quartet (USA/Aus) with Peggy Lee's Open Thread (Can/Aus) on closing night this Sunday. Check out the full program: https://thejazzlab.com.au/events/category/mwijf/

Tell us what you really think! 🙌🏼 Jump online and complete our short Audience Survey by midnight Friday 24 November to go in the running to win a $250 MIJF gift voucher, or a double-pass to attend ‘Jazz at the Bowl’ next October at MIJF 2024!

If you were there for the magic of this year’s Jazz Festival, we’d love to hear from you. 🥁🎶

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2NG7C5M

📸 Will Hamilton-Coates Photography

Super proud to host the first 'MIJF Presents' showcase at the recent EFG London Jazz Festival! Thanks to the visionary support of the Vizard Foundation, MIJF presented two stellar ensembles from our 2022 MIJF Export Series—ARIA nominated The Zela Margossian Quintet and Montreux Jazz Award nominees Brekky Boy—who took over the Barbican Centre and brought their incredible Australian sound to international audiences in London.