The Perth International Jazz Festival (PIJF) announces an incredible array of over 60 local, national and international jazz artists for its sixth annual event happening across the city for one weekend only on Friday 9, Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 November 2018.
Featuring performances, intimate ‘in conversations’ and open rehearsals in a mix of ticketed and free community events, be seduced by jazz in this three-day festival that continues the legacy of what the late Graham Wood started back in 2012.
Utilising the Perth Cultural Centre and Wetlands Stage as well as the State Theatre Centre, The Bird and The Ellington Jazz Club, renowned artists performing include Anita Wardell (UK) – a BBC Jazz Award-winning musician who’s recording career began in 1995 with her album ‘Why do you Cry?’ followed by ‘Straight Ahead’ in 1998 with international star pianist Jason Rebello. As Swing Journal (Japan’s most popular jazz publication) stated: "She's the real thing who can fluently scat and vocalese!".
Multi ARIA-award winning artist, Kate Ceberano (MEL) returns to Perth to team up with legendary local saxophonist Carl Mackey (MEL). Together they present a very special performance of the 1961 soul-jazz album: ‘Nancy Wilson & Cannonball Adderley’.
"It’s an incredible opportunity to perform this most beloved album which I have listened to over and over from childhood,” Ceberano says.
“I love playing with Carl and after recently doing some shows with James Morrison together, we thought this would be a great opportunity to bring this album to life with great friends and great players.”
As part of the new German jazz generation who don’t give a damn about genre, Trio Elf (GER) have created their own distinct style of club culture grooves, drum ‘n’ bass, house and 2-step with pianistic lyricism developed over the past 13 years spent circulating the globe.
Still in her 20’s, Chilean saxophonist/composer Melissa Aldana of the Melissa Aldana Quartet (USA) has had a remarkably rapid evolution from six-year-old sax prodigy to “bold new talent” (NPR) and is widely considered one of the most compelling tenor saxophonists on the scene.
Bandleader/composer/vocalist Sara McDonald (USA) is based in Brooklyn, NYC. With critically acclaimed records including her first large ensemble EP with The All Jazz Orchestra in Munich, Germany (2013) and the release of her debut album with The NYChillharmonic (2016), she’ll lead a progressive jazz orchestra comprised of local musicians for her debut Perth performance.
Critics and fans alike hail pianist/composer Satoko Fujii (JPN) as one of the most original voices in jazz today. Premiering a new suite ‘Fukushima’ composed in the memory of the people of the 2011 Japan earthquake, she will partner with trumpeter/composer Natsuki Tamura (JPN).
Sam Anning Sextet (MEL) is fresh off his latest tour receiving rave reviews at the recent Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Sydney Con International Jazz Festival and Brisbane International Jazz Festival. The award-winning bassist has assembled an all-star Australian cast to bring to life his stunning compositions featuring trumpeter Mat Jodrell, saxophonists Julien Wilson and Carl Mackey, pianist Andrea Keller and drummer Danny Fischer.
In addition to all of the performances, free community events have been added to the program this year to introduce audiences to the inner workings of musicians and their creative process, including:
• Open Rehearsals: Observe the inner workings of collaborative rehearsals between local and visiting artists to produce a festival performance.
• Artist In Conversations: Informal conversations with visiting guest artists with the opportunity to participate in Q&A’s with the artists.
• Jazz Club Choir: Renowned jazz vocalist Libby Hammer (WA) will work with anyone who wants to sing to create a jazz choir for the duration of the festival – culminating in a festival performance.
“We’re bringing inspiring music by talented musicians from around Australia and the world to Perth,” says PIJF Festival Director Dr Mace Francis.
“In our sixth year we want to carry on the legacy of what Graham Wood started and make it bigger and better for our great city.”
With over 35 jazz festivals across Australia, PIJF is the only dedicated international Jazz festival in Western Australia. The brain-child of the late Associate Professor Graham Wood, in its first year it was ranked fourth in Time Out’s ‘Top 7 Australian Jazz Festivals’ and also featured in the West Australian’s ‘Art’s: Best in the West’ (2013).
Tickets are on sale now. Make the most of you festival weekend and take advantage of a State Theatre Centre Weekend Pass for $200, giving you access to 23 shows over three days. Day passes are also available for Friday ($60), Saturday ($100) and Sunday ($100). Tickets are also on sale for individual performances.
For more information, visit: http://www.perthjazzfestival.com.au
Comments