If you’re partial to an evening of smooth jazz or wild scat cat abandon, then this huge jazz festival will be right up your alley. It exclusively stars jazz musicians who identify as female and will be taking place in bars and clubs across Sydney.
Now in its tenth year, the Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival is forging ahead in spite of the big dampener of 2020, with ten days of live and virtual gigs from more than 30 musicians starting from October 30 through to November 9.
In light of current travel restrictions, this year’s festival embraces local talents for its IRL shows, but will also spotlight international artists from Japan, Cuba, Peru, Sweden and Armenia via live-stream.
Catch shows from the likes of stalwart Aussie jazz vocalist Emma Pask, fiery soul singer Mahalia Barnes (daughter of Jimmy Barnes), and ARIA Award-winning singer/songwriter Elana Stone.
New additions to the festival program include blues powerhouse Alice Terry, who’ll be performing with her big band on Thursday, November 5 at Foundry616 as part of the Great Southern Nights initiative, bringing more than 1000 live gigs to New South Wales.
The Festival Hub this year is Mary’s Underground, the former site of Sydney's legendary long-standing jazz venue, the Basement. While SWIJF will also ignite venues Foundry616, Joynton Ave Creative Centre, the Australian Institute Of Music (AIM) and Venue 505.
Tickets range from $15 to $50. All shows will be seated and physically distanced with limited capacity. While you can't get out of your chair for any hip-swinging, you can indulge some enthusiastic toe tapping and finger snapping as these cool cats play.
Head to the website to check out the program and book in before you miss out.
