If you’re looking for the cream of the crop of Australian jazz talent in a relaxed setting, this mini jazz music festival is the one for you.
Heady fusions, hard-grooving breakouts, finger-snapping elasticity and timeless elegance. Expect all this and more at the second-ever Geelong Jazz Day, a one-day event bringing music to the heart of Little Malop Street this May.
Dubbed a music festival for jazz lovers, the event will see some of the region’s finest jazz musicians performing across four iconic venues on Little Malop Street on Saturday 20 May.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
Representing and celebrating jazz in all its forms, bringing experimental and contemporary artists to the forefront alongside the genre’s classics, the one-day festival lineup will see the likes of New Orleans-style jazz legends Des Camm Jazz Band, the smooth, timeless sound of Andy Pobjoy Trio, League of Gentlemen, Gatsby’s Vintage Jazz Band, Royal Garden Jazz Band with George Washingmachine, Papa Willie Jazz Band, and ARIA-nominated clarinetist David Gardner and his band all take to the stage. There will also be sets from The Jazz Apprentices, Christian College Jazz Students, Callum Watson Project and The Hot Club Swing, who have been thrilling audiences with their unique style of French Gypsy Jazz for 20 years.
These wildly talented bands will perform across Pistol Pete’s, Piano Bar, Beavs Bar and the Westend Hotel from 1pm. With the four venues all within walking distance from one another, people can choose to enjoy all nine bands with a festival pass or curate their own jazz day out, purchasing tickets at the door to individual shows.
While it’s an easy must-see for jazz aficionados, the festival also presents a unique opportunity for listeners looking for an introduction to the world of jazz with the added benefit of supporting musicians following a tumultuous few years on the live music industry.
With the great N’Awlins tunes and Jazz classics from Des Camm Jazz Band, and Gatsby’s Vintage Jazz Band’s classic ragtime, blues and dance tunes from the 1920s, to the infectious jazz and swing classics from the Andy Pobjoy Trio, this will be an entirely cheerful jazz-filled afternoon.
Day tickets are just $40 allowing entry into any event at any time.
Geelong Jazz Day runs from 1pm to 5pm on Saturday, May 20 2023 on Little Malop Street. You can purchase tickets here.
