Melbourne Women's International Jazz Festival

Late night, unplanned and unmissable. We’re back this year with another round of MIJF’s iconic Late Night Jams. Each weekend of the festival we shake loose and get down after hours, with spontaneous, improvised and unrepeatable festival-only sessions led by The Rookies. Consistently a highlight of the festival, these jam sessions celebrate everything we love about...

Late night, unplanned and unmissable. We’re back this year with another round of MIJF’s iconic Late Night Jams. Each weekend of the festival we shake loose and get down after hours, with spontaneous, improvised and unrepeatable festival-only sessions led by The Rookies. Consistently a highlight of the festival, these jam sessions celebrate everything we love about...

2011 Bell Award Winner, virtuoso string bassist, bandleader, composer and arranger, Leigh Barker moved to Paris from Australia in 2016 to bring a new international perspective to his many musical projects. In the years before his departure, Barker was already sustaining a busy international schedule including such highlights as the Sydney Opera House, Jazz at...

Gender Defying Jazz (GDJ) Gender Defying Jazz (GDJ) is a program run by Andrea Keller, Head of Jazz & Improvisation at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne. The program is dedicated to creating a safe learning environment and supportive community for female-identifying and gender-diverse musicians interested in exploring jazz and improvisation. Based in...

New Horizons Ashling O'Farrell Quartet Ashling O'Farrell – trombone/vocals Saffi Campbell Walker – piano Clio Grieg – bass Harry Lentell – drums The Ashling O’Farrell Quartet is an ensemble led by trombonist and vocalist Ashling O’Farrell. At just 21 years old, Ashling shares light and joy through her music, aiming to radiate hope with her...

Set 1: Lena Douglas / Sara Flindt Set 2: Maeve Grieve Lena Douglas / Sara Flindt Lena Douglas – keys, piano, vocals Sara Flindt – vocals, keys Australian artist Lena Douglas and Danish vocalist, songwriter, and improviser Sara Flindt come together to present a new collaborative duo project. The pair met while studying their Master’s...

Presented by the Monash University Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance Monash University’s Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance are passionate supporters of Australian music, gender diversity, and jazz and improvisation. We are proud to sponsor the Melbourne Women’s International Jazz Festival, and thrilled to have our students perform, listen, and...

Set 1: The Wardells Set 2: Shannon Barnett – Barnett / Anning / Anderson (Germany / AUS) The Wardells Lauren Henderson – conductor Sopranos: Ruby Zoontjens, Isobel Richardson, Willow Rist, Lauren Logozzo Altos: Grace Northam, Amy Harriott, Sienna Vacca, Maisie Aitken Band: Ciara Ferguson – piano Lachlan Durrans – drums Emerging from South Australia's prestigious...

Opening Support Set – Monash Emerging Artist: Bella Oates Headline Artists Set 1 – Lauren Kate Henderson Album Launch “Curves of the Brave” Lauren Kate Henderson – vocals Ciara Ferguson – piano Sam Anning – bass Kyrie Anderson – drums The album “Curves of the Brave” explores themes of resilience, introspection, gratitude, love, family, relationships,...

Opening Support Set – Monash Emerging Artist: Sophie Nickson Headline Artists Set 1 – Jacinta Caruana Jacinta Caruana is a versatile vocalist with over 22 years of experience performing on Australia’s most iconic stages, including the Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Hamer Hall, and the MCG. She has appeared at major national events such as the...

Opening Support Set – Monash Emerging Artist Headline Artists Set 1 – Lauren Tsamouras Jann Rutherford Memorial Award Winner: Lauren Tsamouras Lauren Tsamouras – piano and compositions Harry Birch – double bass Another Green World, led by pianist Lauren Tsamouras with Harry Birch on double bass, delivers an intimate and meditative experience through exploration of...