Friday, March 15, 2013

Melbourne International Jazz Festival line-up!



From May 31 - June 9, Melbourne will welcome a host of national and internationally renowned jazz artists to the 2013 Melbourne International Jazz Festival. The line-up includes Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes with his Afro-Cuban Messengers, the Christian McBride Trio (US), Cassandra Wilson (US), Maria Schneider (US), Darcy James Argue (CAN), Kneebody (US) and Mike Stern (US).

Once again, there will surprising collaborations, including Maria Schneider and Darcy James Argue with the Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra and James Carter (US) with Julien Wilson's Upright Trio.

Shapeshifter is the new ensemble from Paul Grabowsky and students from the Sir Zelman Cowan School of Music at Monash University, with players from the Australian Art Orchestra. It will premiere new works and arrangements from special guest Mark Helias, Paul Grabowsky and trumpter/composer Eugene Ball.

The opening gala concert, titled Everybody Wants to Rule The World, has been inspired by the long tradition of jazz artists reinterpreting rock songs. Featuring Sarah McKenzie, Michelle Nicole and Mahalia Barnes, these ladies will be reinterpreting works such as House Of The Rising Sun, Yellow Taxi and Sunshine Of Your Love.

Other great events included in the festival include daily free concerts on the main stage of Federation Square, and ABC Jazz's own Gerry Koster in converstation with two of the headliners of the festival – Chucho Valdes and Christian McBride.

 

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