Australian Art Orchestra
Thu 26 Oct, 8:00pm
The Substation
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The grandfather of Afrobeat, Ebo Taylor, joins Melbourne’s own The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra.
Modern Masters
Beasts of No Nation feat. Ebo Taylor
Ghana / Australia
Opening Act: Mike Gurrieri (DJ)
Sat 21 Oct, 8:00pm
Max Watt's
“… one of the most exciting of the emerging generation in contemporary Australian jazz” – Paul Grabowsky
Club Sessions
Cheryl Durongpisitkul
Australia
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Fri 20 Oct, 8:00pm
The JazzLab
Experience a close encounter with the world’s leading jazz artists and industry in our free series of intimate conversations, masterclasses, and enlightening panels. Sunday 22 Oct – 2:30PM Masterclass: Ingrid Jensen (Canada) Don’t miss this rare opportunity to learn from renowned Canadian trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, as she leads an invaluable masterclass on expanded listening […]
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Free - Talk / Workshop
Close Encounters
Sun 22 Oct, 2:30pm - Sat 28 Oct, 3:00pm
Arts Centre Melbourne
Australian Headline Series - Club Sessions
Daniel Gassin Crossover Band
Australia
Fri 27 Oct, 9:30pm
The JazzLab
Australian Headline Series - Special Events
Dead Weight
Australia
Tue 24 Oct, 8:30pm - Tue 24 Oct, 9:45pm
Melbourne City Baths
Modern Masters
Ebo Taylor & The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra
Ghana / Australia
Mon 23 Oct, 7:30pm
Wyndham Cultural Centre
Australian Headline Series
Elixir feat. Katie Noonan, Zac Hurren and Benjamin Hauptmann
Australia
Opening Act: Lachlan McLean's Colourful Plumage Quartet
Sat 28 Oct, 7:30pm
Melbourne Recital Centre
“…astonishing power and convulsive impact.” ★★★★1⁄2, Sydney Morning Herald [on Empty Voices].
Australian Headline Series - Explorations
Empty Voices + Tom Avgenicos: Ghosts Between Streams
Australia
Tue 24 Oct, 7:30pm
Chapel Off Chapel
Starting the 2023 Festival with a bang, join us for a jam-packed line-up of international legends and local heroes over 2 days of free performances at Fed Square. Friday night starts with a Smoking Ceremony to officially launch the 2023 Festival, followed by MIJF First Nations Resident Artist Bumpy performing her captivatingly soulful sounds, then […]
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Family - Free
Free Jazz at Fed Square
Australia
FREE
Fri 20 Oct, 5:00pm - Sat 21 Oct, 6:00pm
Free Jazz at Fed Square
“Powered by fluttering, junglist drums, slithering bass lines and an increasing bank of Eno-esque digital manipulations. Hypnotic stuff.” – The Guardian
Explorations
GoGo Penguin
UK
Opening Act: The Tamil Rogeon Electric Band
Fri 27 Oct, 8:00pm
Forum Melbourne
Modern Masters
Hot 8 Brass Band
USA
Opening Act: The NOLA Get Down
Fri 20 Oct, 8:00pm
Max Watt's
Hailed as one of the most gifted jazz trumpeters of her generation, Canadian Ingrid Jensen takes over The JazzLab for two nights of musical alchemy.
Club Sessions - Modern Masters
Ingrid Jensen
Canada / Australia
Sat 21 Oct, 7:00pm - Sun 22 Oct, 9:30pm
The JazzLab
Jam out with Zimbabwean multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Sylent Nqo and local Afro-jazz musicians in this free and casual community minded jam session.
Free - Talk / Workshop
Jam Session: Sylent Nqo and Friends
Australia / Zimbabwe
FREE
Tue 24 Oct, 2:00pm
Mamma Chens
Selling Fast
Melbourne International Jazz Festival kicks off this year’s festival with a blockbuster celebration of funk, jazz, disco and soul over six epic hours at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl – featuring global music icons Chaka Khan and Nile Rodgers & CHIC.
Special Events
Jazz at the Bowl: Chaka Khan + Nile Rodgers & CHIC
USA / Australia
With special guests Kaiit, Horns of Leroy and Mz Rizk
Sat 21 Oct, 4:00pm
Sidney Myer Music Bowl
For three huge days of free music, MIJF is taking over Spotswood hotspot Grazeland. Enjoy an eclectic mix of local jazz, soul, funk and swing as you explore this expansive foodie’s playground. A unique outdoor dining experience sure to tantalise your senses, Grazeland features the best of Melbourne’s food scene, with over 50 food and […]
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Family - Free
Jazz Westside: Grazeland
Australia
Fri 20 Oct, 5:30pm - Sun 22 Oct, 12:30pm
Grazeland
Come and celebrate the joy of jazz at this street party showcasing some of Melbourne’s best music from our city’s ever-inspiring jazz scene. From 2-6pm enjoy the spring sunshine and local talent at the Hall Street pop-up stage. Then from 6pm onwards, go on a jazz crawl and soak up the tunes at nearby Moonee […]
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Family - Free
Jazz Westside: Moonee Ponds
Australia
FREE
Sun 22 Oct, 2:00pm - Sun 22 Oct, 6:00pm
Jazz Westside: Moonee Ponds
Modern Masters
Kendrick Scott
USA
Sun 22 Oct, 7:00pm - Sun 22 Oct, 9:30pm
Chapel Off Chapel
Australian Headline Series
Kristin Berardi
Australia / Canada
Mon 23 Oct, 8:00pm
Chapel Off Chapel
Club Sessions - Free
Late Night Jams
Australia
Fri 20 Oct, 11:00pm - Sun 29 Oct, 11:00pm
The JazzLab
Celebrate the ever-evolving spirit of jazz with a series of free lunchtime performances from Melbourne’s best up-and-coming artists.
Free
Lunchtime Jazz at St James Courtyard
Australia
FREE
Tue 24 Oct, 12:00pm - Thu 26 Oct, 12:00pm
St James
Slide into the weekend early with a sun-drenched mix of funky, dreamy and groovy live sounds at Carlton’s University Square. Escape the office, grab a picnic, and kick back as two of Melbourne’s best bring the springtime vibes.
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Free
Lunchtime Jazz at University Square
Australia
FREE
Fri 27 Oct, 12:00pm
University Square
Fusing jazz improv with the rhythmic swagger of hip-hop, celebrated drummer, composer and self-proclaimed “beat scientist” Makaya McCraven pushes jazz into thrillingly uncharted territory.
Explorations
Makaya McCraven
USA
Opening Act: James Bowers Trio
Wed 25 Oct, 8:00pm
The Croxton
Club Sessions
Marike van Dijk Quintet
Netherlands / Australia
Wed 25 Oct, 9:30pm
The JazzLab
A celebration of the next generation of jazz featuring students from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne – alongside MIJF headline artist Nduduzo Makhathini.
Club Sessions
Masters & Apprentices
South Africa / Australia
Wed 25 Oct, 7:00pm
The JazzLab
Australian Headline Series - Club Sessions
Michelle Nicolle Quartet
Australia
Fri 27 Oct, 7:00pm
The JazzLab
“The two instruments encircle each other in a beguiling call and response, eventually so entwined that there is only their shared song.” – Audio Femme
Australian Headline Series - Explorations
Mindy Meng Wang 王萌 & Paul Grabowsky
Australia
Sat 21 Oct, 8:00pm
Chapel Off Chapel
Witness the fascinating process of festival headliners working with the rising generation of jazz musicians during these free two-hour workshops.
Free - Talk / Workshop
Monash University Artist Workshops
FREE
Mon 23 Oct, 10:00am - Wed 25 Oct, 10:00am
Monash University
A celebration of the next generation of jazz featuring students for the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music, Monash University – alongside headline festival artist Ingrid Jensen.
Monash University Jazz Futures
Canada / Australia
Monash Sessions - CD launch
Tue 24 Oct, 7:00pm
Melbourne Recital Centre
“A truly singular pianist, an astonishingly gifted composer…one of South Africa’s most remarkable talents.” – Seton Hawkins, Jazz at Lincoln Center
Club Sessions - Modern Masters
Nduduzo Makhathini
South Africa
Sat 28 Oct, 7:00pm - Sun 29 Oct, 9:30pm
The JazzLab
Sit in on a funk filled rehearsal with Afrobeat master Henry Taylor and members of The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra.
Free - Talk / Workshop
Open Rehearsal: Public Opinion Afro Orchestra
Australia / Ghana
Thu 19 Oct, 2:00pm
Mamma Chens
Join the jubilant energy of the quintessential New Orleans art form—the second line parade—as this mobile street party weaves its way through Melbourne’s inner city, kicking off the 2023 festival in grand style.
Family - Free - Special Events
Second Line Street Party
USA / Australia
FREE
Sat 21 Oct, 1:00pm
Red Stair Amphitheatre
“[SFJAZZ Collective] boasts as much or more collective talent, firepower and critical acclaim than any other jazz ensemble going” — DownBeat
Modern Masters
SFJAZZ Collective
USA
Opening Act: Louisa Rankin Septet
Wed 25 Oct, 7:30pm
Melbourne Recital Centre
Club Sessions
Shannon Barnett Quartet
Australia / Germany
Thu 26 Oct, 7:00pm - Thu 26 Oct, 9:30pm
The JazzLab
Lose yourself in a night of heavy, unpredictable and inventive sounds, as we bring together three extraordinary acts at the forefront of 21st century dance focused jazz. Sophisticated grooves, percussive rhythms, and serious beats – TEYMORI blend everything from Latin and African influences to R&B, funk, disco and jazz. The 7-piece ensemble will take you […]
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Australian Headline Series
TEYMORI + Supernatural Dirt + Alexander Flood
Australia
Thu 26 Oct, 8:00pm
Max Watt's
Australian Headline Series
Vanessa Perica Orchestra
Australia
Opening Act: Matthew Sheens
Thu 26 Oct, 7:30pm
Melbourne Recital Centre
Explorations
William Barton & Nduduzo Makhathini
Australia / South Africa
Fri 27 Oct, 7:30pm
The Substation