Head to North East Victoria for 3 fun-filled days of jazz & blues.

Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues is back in 2022 with an adventurous and eclectic program, featuring Australia’s premier jazz and blues artists, inspired international collaborations and the annual National Jazz Awards, from Friday 28 October – Sunday 30 October 2022.

The lineup is epic. Here are all the finer details:

The festival curated world premiere collaboration between New York based drummer Pheeroan akLaff, Sydney drummer Chloe Kim and Melbourne drummer Maria Moles is a thrilling addition to the program. akLaff has performed and recorded with numerous American Jazz luminaries including Andrew Hill, Cecil Taylor and Wadada Leo Smith. Their work is part of co-produced work sponsored with the help of Melbourne Jazz Co-op.

In another world premiere international collaboration, Finnish pianist Iro Haarla presents a program of her evocative compositions with Melbourne’s Tamara Murphy and James McLean. 

The 2022 program will have traditional jazz lovers enthralled with performances from Dan Barnett’s Swing Rocket, Geoff Bull and the Finer Cuts, the Syncopators, Chonk, Eamon McNelis’ Skellingtons and a very special celebratory tribute by Rebecca Barnard to her beloved father Len and uncle Bob, both Australian jazz royalty. 

Barnard will also perform with legendary Hammond organist, Tim Neal in Jazz Mass, with Neal set to play the spectacular Willis pipe-organ in the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Renowned Australian Saxophonist, Julien Wilson, debuts his new solo project within the same divine venue.

In another jazz program highlight, prolific musician Andrea Keller once again showcases her ingenuity with her sweet, tender compositions in PATsy – the music of piano, alto, trombone and squeezebox.  

The Blues program continues to grow with rollicking performances from Jimi Hocking (Screaming Jets) & his Blues Machine and the supremely popular guitarist and vocalist Ray Beadle with his band. Duo Alison Ferrier & Shorty bring their folk, rockin’ blues and bruising electric guitar riffs to the stage whilst Wangaratta Festival debutant, Karen Lee Andrews presents a beautiful program of classic soul infused blues informed by her Polynesian background. 

Other newly announced artists include Angela Davis Quintet, Ball Hanlon Schulz, Fran Swinn Quintet, Jiem, Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, Raphael Karlen Quintet feat. Jo Lawry, Sam Anning and Natasha Fearnside, Sam Keevers and Christopher Hale, Showa 44, Soylent Green, Stephen Magnusson Trio. 

Other festival highlights include world premiere presentations of Finnish musicians Kari Ikonnen’s collaboration with Melbourne-based bassist Helen Svoboda; 

Austrian-based Brazilian composer/ guitarist, Emiliano Sampaio collaborative iteration of his renowned Mereau nonete, featuring musicians from Brazil, Germany and Australia and First Nations musician and songwriter Jess Hitchcock’s (Kate Miller-Heidke, Paul Kelly, Short Black Opera) project featuring new arrangements of lesser-known jazz standards and originals.  

Set to celebrate their 30th anniversary at the festival is crowd favourite Wanderlust whilst Scott Tinkler gathers together Australia’s finest improvisers in the Antripodean Collective and powerhouse collaborative ensemble, This World, brings together the awe-inspiring talents of Mike Nock, Hamish Stuart, Julien Wilson and Jonathan Schwartz.

Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows, Checkerboard Lounge (Carl Pannuzzo, Shannon Bourne, Tim Neal and Zoe Frater), Rob Susz (Dynamic Hypnotics), The Continental Blues Party and This Way North featuring the explosive energy and expansive sounds of Leisha Jungalwalla and Cat Leahy and Fiona Boyes with her band, The Fortune Tellers, are all set to light up the “Wang High Blues” – a newly formed venue following inclement weather and ongoing forecasts. Generously supported by the Wangaratta High School in Edward Street. 

Experimental jazz artists hailing from Queensland Shamin, featuring Sophie Min (piano) and Benjamin Shannon (drums) make their festival debut in conjunction with Melbourne Jazz Co-op. Also Tasmania’s Julius Schwing Trio and 2021 National Jazz Awards winner, pianist Matthew Thomson will perform with his Sydney trio comprising of 2018 NJA winner Alex Hirlian on drums and Jacques Emery on bass.

The National Jazz Awards, which each year focuses on one instrument, is open to guitarists this year. The five most outstanding young players from around the country will converge on Wangaratta to compete for the prestigious award with prize money sponsored by the Rural City of Wangaratta and recording on offer from Pughouse Studios. They will be supported by James McLean on drums, Brett Hirst on bass, and creating NJA history they will be joined by a vocalist, with Jo Lawry taking to the stage.   

Following some wet weather moves in the program, the Community Stage will take place on the Sunday in Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre, with great support from their staff in managing this move. The day offers a full list of scintillating performances from Horns of Leroy and Thando (The Voice) with local community players, Ali McGregor presents Jazzamatazz for the children and Dan Barnett joins popular local big band Jazzaratta. A number of community bands will also take to the stage throughout the day.

Mammoth ensemble, the 17-piece Public Opinion Afro Orchestra will bring the festival to a spectacular close with a rousing set of contemporary African funk.