Homecoming for some of our greatest jazz exports
The 2021 program features the cream of the Australian jazz scene and some of our greatest international jazz exports who have returned home in recent times.听
The festival was formed in 2017, with Australian jazz at its core, by Artistic Director and then Head of the Sydney Conservatorium Jazz Studies Program,聽David Theak.听A tireless advocate for jazz in Australia, Theak was disappointed the 2020 festival did not go ahead due to COVID-19, and is thrilled its fourth incarnation will be possible despite the many challenges faced.
"How does one present an international jazz festival during a pandemic when international travel is essentially non-existent?"聽asks聽David Theak.听
We improvised and found some of the world鈥檚 most creative jazz musicians were seeking refuge within our borders. I'm proud to offer our strongest, most diverse and creative program to date.
Currently waiting out the pandemic in her home town of Perth, headline act Linda May Han Oh had moved to New York in 2006 and is now the bassist for 20-time Grammy Award winner聽Pat Metheny. Exciting audiences worldwide, she has gained international recognition for her innovative approach that seamlessly blends jazz, classical forms and cutting edge composition, and has become an in-demand bassist for the likes of global jazz giants Dave Douglas, Kenny Barron and Steve Wilson.听
In a homecoming for some of our greatest international jazz exports, the festival also debuts performances by Sting collaborator vocalist聽Jo Lawry聽(USA) who will perform with string ensemble,聽Fabian Almazan & Rhizome聽(USA/CUBA) and saxophonist聽Will Vinson聽(USA/UK).
Thirsty Merc front-man聽Rai Thistlethwayte, who has been living and working in Los Angeles with trail-blazing drummer Louis Cole and Knower in recent years, will give a rare solo piano performance, while trumpeter聽Nick Garbett, who returned from Italy last month, will premiere a new work.听
The festival also features performances by some of our most recognised and celebrated names, including Australia's leading vocalist聽Vince Jones聽who will perform with聽The Australian National Jazz Orchestra.听Legend of the Australian jazz scene, pianist and composer聽Mike Nock,聽will perform new music with his critically acclaimed super group聽This World聽featuring saxophonist聽Julien Wilson, bassist聽Jonathan Zwartz聽and聽Hamish Stuart.听
In a Sydney debut, Melbourne artists聽Luke Howard聽will join forces with聽Nadje Noordhuis,聽and聽Andrea Keller聽appears alongside the musicians of tomorrow聽Niran Dasika聽and 2020 Freedman Jazz Fellow,聽Helen Svoboda.听Rarely heard live, Bruny Island resident and one of Australia鈥檚 most accomplished trumpeters,聽Scott Tinkler,聽will go toe- to- toe with聽Sydney trumpeter聽Andy Fiddes.听
Audiences will hear from esteemed local artists聽Paul Cutlan, Zela Margossian, and Aaron Blakey聽and get a taste of the new vanguard with a performance by emerging artists聽Arcing Wires.听Jazz Cafe聽concerts will feature the best of Australian swing with groups led by聽Dan Barnett, Kate Wadey聽and聽Andrew Dickeson.听
"We at the Con have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to reintroduce live performances and this festival is an important step to rebuilding the cultural fabric of our city," says David Theak.听
Image: Dan Barnett