The award-winning Stonnington Jazz Festival will celebrate its 10-year anniversary this year by showcasing more than 40 events over 11 days in 10 venues across the City of Stonnington. This year’s event will run from 14 May to 24 May, with a rich program of jazz, expanding the program to incorporate the new genre of Soul.
2015 Program Director, Darcy Condon, says jazz fans can expect to see all their favourite musicians, with a few new artists thrown in the mix to keep the festival fresh and contemporary. “This year, we wanted to expand our program to offer something for all ages – whether you’re eight or 80, you’re never too young or old to discover jazz music,” he said.
“We’ve now got a great line up of young, emerging artists and soul musicians to appeal to a broader range of ages and musical tastes, while still featuring many of the established musicians fans have come to know and love.”
One of this year’s festival highlights, the Kerrie Biddell Tribute will see some of Australia’s most distinguished jazz singers pay an emotional tribute to the nation’s first lady of jazz. Biddell, who toured with Dusty Springfield, and received a standing ovation for her performance on the Tonight Show with Merv Griffin, once performed in front of Sinatra’s band to rave reviews. With the blessing of Biddell’s family and the support of her former associates, this special tribute concert will be backed up by 15-piece big band The ATM15 and is set to be an unforgettable night.
The ‘Brass Band Battle’ between Melbourne street bands – the Horns of Leroy and the Immortal Horns – will see 13 young musicians go head to head in a lively performance that is set to get first time jazz listeners hooked.
Other festival highlights include the Women of Soul who will present a special tribute to their jazz heroines including Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald and Etta James, while The Bamboo’s Lance Ferguson and his 10-piece Menagerie band will do a premier performance of ‘They Shall Inherit’, recreating the album for the very first time.
Adam Rudegeair Quintet will perform jazz versions of David Bowie’s hit songs, while Alter Jazz Ensemble, a jazz and hip-hop treatment of old-to-new Jewish music, will feature a jazz improvising, beat-boxing Rabbi.
Ticket prices range from $15 – $35, with a selection of shows and events available for free. For more information on the program and tickets visit www.stonningtonjazzfestival.com.au
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