Free your mind from election overkill and indulge your aural senses at the Brisbane International Jazz Festival (BIJF) this June.
2016 heralds the fourth edition of the BIJF, bringing 40-plus world-acclaimed, genre-defying artists, national treasures and local jazz heroes to Brisbane, 2-12 June.
International legend, the Father of Ethiopian jazz Mulatu Astatke will perform with Black Jesus Experience premiering their Cradle of Humanity project at the Queensland Multicultural Centre (aka BEMAC) 4 June.
Black Jesus ExperienceAt the same venue on 9 June, New York beat maker and visionary Marcus Strickland has assembled some of America’s most innovative artists for Twi-Life, a super group that creates deep grooves and fluid improvisations fusing jazz, funk, soul and R&B.
Adelaide chanteuse Catherine Lambert (remember that flaming redhead jazz singer in 'Lost In Translation'?) swings into action at the Brisbane Jazz Club 10 June. While for contemporary aficionados, Sydney’s home-grown treasure The Vampires + Matt Smith and Brisbane’s Trichotomy perform at QMC 10 June.
A focus on Australian jazz women (Women in Jazz) happens 11 June at the QLD Multicultural Centre commencing with a workshop for female high school instrumentalists, followed by a panel discussion with local and interstate female jazz professionals. The finale will premiere the original work of renowned Australians Sandy Evans AO (tenor sax), Andrea Keller (piano), Angela Davis (alto sax), Hannah James (bass), Sonja Horbelt (drums) and local pianist/ composer Parmis Rose with her Beauty School Dropouts.
A melting pot of diverse, musical cultures – jazz, classical, Indian and Persian traditions – will be woven together by the Aathmika Trio and Barbod Valadi Ensemble in a double bill of contemporary jazz players in the Braben & Jenner Hot 5 at the Brisbane Jazz Club 9 June.
This is just a sampling of the music on offer. BIJF will also host jazz workshops and free events during its 11 days.
