Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival

Come November, Sydney will be transformed into swing city with the return of the Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival for its second bout of melodic perfection.

From the 6th – 10th and the 13th – 17th November, this festival will bring together nothing but the best ladies of jazz, with performances at the Seymour Centre’s Sound Lounge, Ultimo’s Foundary616, VJ’s Chatswood Ave, 1923 in Wentworth Falls and the Riverside Theatre in Parramatta.

The stellar lineup includes Sydney’s own Tina Harrod, performing compositions from her latest album The Revolution is Eternal; Melbourne’s Nat Bartsch with her distinct fusion of European Jazz, indie rock pop and classical music; and Jade McRae, the R&B singing sensation who will team up with her parents Dave McRae and Joy Yates to inject some Billy Holiday, Carman McRae and Sarah Vaughan into the night. Judy Bailey OAM will also be making an appearance to discuss her wealth of experience as a performer within the jazz scene, before taking the to the stage with her trio to envelope the audience in her stunning sound.

On an international level, Japanese pianist Eri Yamamoto will be travelling from her base in New York to make her debut on Aussie shores with her elaborate post-bop style. Claire Daly, also hailing from New York, will be bringing the sounds of jazz grand master Thelonious Monk to the stage with her quintet, as well as guest soloing with the 17 piece machine that is Sirens Big Band. Norway native Frøy Aagre will also be there to showcase her new project that fuses electronic sound into melodic groove based jazz and trombonist Shannon Barnett will show off her new creative project U.NLOCK with talented vocalist Gian Slater.
With so much variety in style and sound, this festival will cater to any jazz palate. Tickets are available, but with an outstanding lineup such as this, they won’t last long!

What: Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival
When: 6th-10th and 13th-17th November
Where: The Sound Lounge, Seymour Centre
Foundry616, Harris St – Ultimo
VJ’s Chatswood Ave – Chatswood
1923, Lake St – Wentworth Falls
Riverside Theatre – Parramatta

Tickets: $15-$40. Bookings on 02 9351 7940 or www.sima.org.au