The Perth International Jazz Festival has announced its 2020 event is going ahead on Friday 6, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November with a wonderful weekend of world-class jazz to bring this year’s festival and Perth city to life.
Featuring family-friendly and free community events than ever before including a Jazz Parade and a Jazz Picnic in the Park. Don’t miss expats Linda May Han Oh and Tal Cohen who returned to Perth from the US to escape COVID-19. There will be a swingin’ 1920s-style Cotton Club Dance Party, an intimate Jazz Dinner and more. There is so much great music to hear and experience across the three day festival.
Festival Director Dr Mace Francis said planning this year’s event has been a wild ride in these unprecedented times.
“It’s with great pleasure and, honestly, sheer delight that we we’re able to present the 2020 Perth International Jazz Festival,” he says.
“There has been a lot of changes that have had to happen, but at our core we want to give you a weekend of the very best jazz that we can.
“Come and take a risk with us to see as much music as you can, experience new delights, reacquaint yourself with old favourites and just have the best time! This festival is for you and we look forward to seeing you there… from a safe distance.”
The Perth International Jazz Festival (PIJF) returns to the Perth Cultural Centre for its eighth annual event utilising The Rechabite in William Street as the Festival Hub. This venue gives audiences the chance to experience as much of the ticketed program as they can, easily moving from the main hall to the Goodwill Club in the basement.
Thanks to the generous support of Lotterywest, City of Perth, City of Vincent and ECU/WAAPA, PIJF will open on Friday night with a completely free night in the State Theatre Courtyard in collaboration with RTRFM 92.1, leading into free day time concerts at Northbridge Piazza on the Saturday and Sunday, as well as the Jazz Picnic in the Park event on Sunday in Hyde Park.
The artist-in-conversations events will this year be at the Alex Hotel, where audiences can hear artists speak about their work and lives, and The Ellington Jazz Club will also present a weekend program including the infamous Jam Sessions.
Getting out to hear great music is more important than ever in 2020, and PIJF is working closely with the relevant government authorities to ensure a safe environment for audiences, staff and volunteers. With the holding of this event, all State Government directions are being adhered to along with individual venues operating under their own COVID Safety Plans.
PIJF is the only dedicated international jazz festival in WA. The brain-child of the late Associate Professor Graham Wood, in its first year it ranked fourth in Time Out’s Top 7 Australian Jazz Festivals.
Tickets are on sale via Moshtix and prices vary from $20 – $35 + BF per individual performance (excluding the Jazz Dinner at Shadow Wine Bar). Make a weekend out of it and get 15 per cent off if you purchase tickets to three shows at The Rechabite only (within one transaction when purchasing tickets online), or have a staycation at the Alex Hotel with 15 per cent off your accommodation over the festival weekend.
The full list of artists performing at Perth International Jazz Festival 2020 include: Allira Wilson & Harry Mitchell: The Music of Paul Simon | Artemis Orchestra | Brass Party | Chris McNulty | Cotton Club Dance Party with the 950 Express & Oz Big Band| Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse | Harry Mitchell Quintet | Jamie Oehlers Double Drummer Band |Jayden Blockley Trio | Jazz Parade |Joshua Nicholls Plus 7 | Kate Pass Kohesia Ensemble | Linda May Han Oh & Fabian Almazan Duo Linda May Han Oh with WAYJO | Lucy Iffla Quartet | MELVE | MI7 with Libby Hammer | MLC Jazz Orchestra | Namora Nonet | Riffz2000 | Sassafras Swinging at The Savoy | Tal Cohen Quartet |The Amnesiacs (Radiohead Big Band) | TLC Trio|Tom O’Halloran Trio – Axiom | Tonic | WAAPA Brazilian Ensemble | WAAPA Ensemble (4th Year) WAAPA Jazz Choir + Big Band: Basie to Beyonce | WAYJO MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra|WAYJO Tuesday Night Orchestra.
For more information, visit: www.perthjazzfest.com
