Snap Your Fingers, Tap Your Toes: C&G on the Melbourne International Jazz Festival

Local Community

The annual Melbourne International Jazz Festival brings us its sultry tunes beginning the 30th of May, and running for two weeks before leaving the city’s ‘hep cats’ behind on June 8th. With hundreds of events on a packed programme, C&G share with you the best of the auditory delights to come.


Grace-note-ing our city since 1998, the Melbourne International Jazz Festival is hosted by iconic concert halls, theatres, jazz bars and pubs across the city - nowhere is safe from its brazen trumpet riffs and thrumming bass. 

The festival begins with a free opening ceremony in Federation Square, so take time to join in the celebration and embrace the feeling of dancing in the streets. Featuring four acts throughout the afternoon, you’ll be are serenaded by performers from the USA, Spain and Melbourne.

Jazz Festival events include free experiences and forums in famous Melbourne jazz venues such as Dizzy’s Jazz Club where patrons will be wined, dined and crooned-to by emerging artists. Enjoying an authentic jazz club atmosphere, the recently remodelled restaurant is purpose-built for dancing, drinking and - of course - listening to the seductive melodies.

Masterclasses and in-depth jazz explorations for the musicians amongst us are also scheduled throughout the two weeks. Artist Workshops feature visiting musicians, who will be mentoring at Monash University Auditorium, the VCA and the Langham Hotel. They’ll share their knowledge about improvisation, composition and the techniques needed to create spirited, beautiful music. The In Conversation… series is another interactive forum featuring musicians from a variety of jazz genres who will surprise you with their prodigious talent and willingness to answer audience questions.  

A series of screenings called “Jazz on Film” will be playing at ACMI – a must-see for those interested in exploring the rich historical past of jazz. Learn about icons of sweet rhythm including ‘Ol’ Blue Eyes’ Frank Sinatra’s drummer, pianist James Booker and saxophonist Charles Lloyd – sure to offer you a new perspective on the music genre. 

The Melbourne International Jazz Festival also features two family-friendly events, so that a new generation of jazz lovers are able to explore the depths of this energetic genre of music. Be sure to catch Ali McGregor as she presents “Jazzamatazz”, an internationally successful show which introduces syncopated beats and matching dance moves to children.