The 2009 Melbourne International Jazz Festival drew to a stunning close on Saturday 2 May, marking an extraordinary first year under the Artistic Direction of Michael Tortoni and Program Direction of Sophie Brous.

“The Festival exceeded our expectations with regards to attendances and the calibre of performances. Our aim was to present a Festival program that reflects the calibre and diversity of jazz in this city and around the world. From traditional jazz to punk jazz and everything in between, music lovers embraced the program, with most events sold out or close to capacity,” said Artistic Director Michael Tortoni.

Virtually every major concert in the festival program sold out or in the case of free events, played to capacity. Sold out and full capacity concerts include the Opening Night free concert of Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra at BMW Edge, Charlie Haden Quartet West and Joshua Redman Trio at Melbourne Recital Centre, Charlie Haden, Bill Frisell & Ethan Iverson Trio with Paul Grabowsky’s ‘Shirley Avenue’ Grand Organ commission at the Town Hall; at The Forum Bill Frisell Trio and upstairs Julien Wilson Quintet with Jim Black; NGV Art Chat with Oren Ambarchi and Nels Cline and all performances at Bennetts Lane including Tim Berne’s Adobe Probe, Harry James Angus, Judy Carmichael, Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra with Bert Joris, Kristin Berardi Band, The BBC – Tim Berne, Jim Black, Nels Cline Trio, Judy Carmichael and the Late Night Jam Sessions.

Near capacity houses included Katie Noonan Blackbird Project and Choir of Hark Knocks in Let’s Do It, The Music of Billie Holliday at Hamer Hall, Laughing Clowns at The Forum, masterclass given by Bill Frisell, Joshua Redman, Katie Noonan and Charlie Haden and several of the Jazz for Kids concerts.Final attendance figures are still being collated.

Featuring 23 international and 183 celebrated Australian artists, the program featured 55 events across seven days, including four Festival commissions, nine Australian premieres, five world premieres, and five Australian/international collaborations which proved to be highlights of a Festival program that moved seamlessly from contemporary jazz to swing, avant-garde, modern improvisation, film, visual art and dance. Families flocked to the Jazz For Kids concerts with infants, toddlers and older children relishing the opportunity to play musical games, learn about jazz and be up close and personal with musicians and their instruments. Andrea Keller, the Zac Hurren Trio and Adam Simmons shared their insights and inspirations with musicians of the future. The free concerts each day of the Festival at Federation Square main stage, highlighted some of the brightest emerging stars of Australian jazz – The Hoodangers, Virus, The Vampires, Flap!, Monash Jazz Ensemble and VCA Jazz Ensemble. The new interdisciplinary programming streams including NGV Jazz Walks and free Sound Walks at the NGV International and the ACMI Film Program also attracted strong and diverse audiences.

“It is clear that the Melbourne International Jazz Festival can become a destination event for Melbourne, showcasing the great wealth of talent that abounds in this beautiful city and around the world” concluded Tortoni.