After a five-year absence from the festival calendar, Brisbane International Jazz Festival returns in 2023.
To be staged at various venues next month (20-29 October), the highlight of the programme (filled with international, national and local talent) is Brooklyn-based saxophonist Caroline Davis and her adventurous trio Alula – that also features Noah Garabedian (electric bass) and Eliza Salem (drums).Caroline presents angular, melody-present instrumentals and soulful, quirky songwriting, her work is industry recognised having won the Downbeat's Critic's Poll Rising Star; while she was recently shortlisted for the 2023 DownBeat 71st Annual Critics Poll for alto saxophone.
Davis' has shared musical moments with Lee Konitz, John Zorn, George Cables, Angelica Sanchez, The Femme Jam, Matt Mitchell, Terry Riley, Nicole Mitchell, Miles Okazaki, Geoffrey Keezer, Rajna Swaminathan, and Billy Kaye, among many others.
The daughter of legendary Nina Simone, Lisa Simone will travel to Brisbane International Jazz Festival – her first time touring Australia – to perform the classics from her mother's iconic discography.
"I made a pledge to my mother when she passed away to make sure she would be remembered in the way that she deserved," Lisa says, who'll be joined by the soulful swing of an All-Star Big Band.
From out west arrives WA collective Quiet Country – Harry Mitchell (piano), Ben Vanderwal (drums), Allira Wilson (vocals), Karl Florisson (bass) and Ben Witt (guitar) – who'll be presenting their newest album project 'Sadness Or Euphoria', which was released in July.
"Recording this album was an absolute joy, not only because of everyone's playing and great care for the music, but also because of the positivity and friendship helping to create such good vibes in the studio," shares Harry Mitchell, discussing 'Sadness Or Euphoria'.
Melbourne's Loose Leaf trio led by saxophonist-improviser Andrew Saragossi – joined by Helen Svoboda (double bass) and Canadian drummer Dylan van der Schyff – will head north to BIJF fresh from releasing their debut album 'How We Cope' earlier this year.
Fans of West African and Afrobeat music will be able to indulge in an evening with the living legend and grandfather of the genre, Ebo Taylor. The 87-year old Ghanaian guitarist, composer and producer will be joined by his son Henry Taylor – touring Australia for the first time – as well as Melbourne six-piece The Afrobiotics for evening of infectiously upbeat grooves.
BIJF's opening night party will feature the 17-piece Unladylike Big Band (who'll make its debut as a full band) alongside three-time Bell Awards winner and the recipient in 2010 of the Freedman Fellowship, Australian vocalist Kristin Berardi.
Hannah Macklin, Cigany Weaver, Chris Stover's Imaginary Hybridites, Joshua Hatcher Quartet, Sharon Nobs Trio, Khito, Tyler Cooney Quintet, Isaac Power & Sophie Min Duo, and Theo Parrott Organ Trio will all partake in main showcase event at Thomas Dixon Centre (27 October).
"After years of successful editions of the BIJF, our newly formed committee is reviving the festival after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a change in organisational structure," shares the event organisers.
"With the inception of a new committee formed under the initial guidance and support of founding Artistic Director Lynette Irwin (vale), BIJF will move into the future with a sustainable structure that is deeply entrenched in the local, Australia-wide, and international jazz scene."
Brisbane International Jazz Festival runs at various venues from 20-29 October.
Brisbane International Jazz Festival 2023 Tour Dates
Fri 20 Oct - Brisbane Powerhouse: Ebo Taylor, The AfrobioticsSat 21 Oct - The Clubhouse Moorooka: BIJF Opening Party featuring Kristin Berardi, Unladylike Big Band, Huda the Goddess, Ruben Lewis
Fri 27 Oct - Thomas Dixon Centre: featuring Caroline Davis' Alula, Quiet Country, Loose Leaf, Hannah Macklin, Cigany Weaver, Chris Stover's Imaginary Hybridites, Joshua Hatcher Quartet, Sharon Nobs Trio, Khito, Tyler Cooney Quintet, Isaac Power & Sophie Min Duo, Theo Parrott Organ Trio
Sat 28 Oct - JMI Live: Lynette Irwin MF Composition Commission featuring Kayleigh Pincott and Brendan Foster, plus Hamed
Sat 29 Oct - QPAC: Lisa Simone
