Chaka Khan, Nile Rodgers & Chic lead Melbourne International Jazz Festival lineup

The Melbourne International Jazz Festival has dropped its biggest-ever program.

For 10 days in October, the city will be overcome with blaring horns, sultry voices and tinkling piano keys as the Melbourne International Jazz Festival sweeps through town.

With over 100 events on the schedule, this year’s festival is set to be bigger and better than ever. Featuring street parades, world premieres, free showcases, panel discussions and massive headliners, there’s no excuse not to get out and enjoy the sweet, sweet sounds of jazz.

Melbourne International Jazz Festival 2023

• The 26th annual event will take over various venues throughout the city from October 20 to 29
• It’ll feature free and ticketed events from intimate gigs to public displays
• Tickets are on sale now

Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

The lineup’s top spot is held by none other than the ten-time Grammy Award winner Chaka Khan, celebrating half a century of music.

She’ll take the stage at the festival’s huge kick-off event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl alongside Nile Rodgers & Chic, Kaiit and Horns of Leroy. Following her Melbourne show, Chaka Khan is set to be officially inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Other exciting international headliners include Nina Simone’s daughter Lisa Simone, American vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant, UK instrumental trio GoGo Penguin, improv artist and self-proclaimed “beat scientist” Makaya McCraven and acclaimed New Orleans jazz group the Hot 8 Brass Band.

In Fed Square, get ready for two days of free, family-friendly events on October 20 and 21. Featuring local and international talent of the likes of Thndo, Bumpy, JAZZPARTY, Rita Satch, Tom Showtime and Mz Rizk. It’ll also be the starting point for the Second Line Street Party, a joyous New Orleans-style jazz parade that will weave its way along the Yarra River.

The Substation will host boundary-pushing improv and genre-bending collaborations, Brunswick’s JazzLab will offer late-night club sessions and the Melbourne City Baths will be home to a quirky, athletic-inspired musical walk-through orchestrated by trombonist Shannon Barnett and performed by an 18-member team (as well as one fitness instructor).

In the western suburbs, there will be three day of pop-up performances at the Grazeland food hall, as well as a celebration of local talent with a street party in Moonee Ponds and a free showcase of African jazz gems at Footscray’s Maddern Square.

And that’s just the beginning. It’s truly a music lover’s dream.

2023 Lineup

• Amalia Umeda
• Andrea Keller
• Ben Vanderwal
• Bumpy
• Chaka Khan
• Cheryl Durongpisitkul
• Cookin’ on 3 Burners
• Cécile McLorin Salvant
• Daniel Gassin
• Ebo Taylor
• Elixir
• Felix Bloxsom
• GoGo Penguin
• Hand to Earth
• Horns of Leroy
• Hot 8 Brass Band
• Ingrid Jensen
• Jake Amy Trio
• Jamie Oehlers
• Julien Wilson
• Kaiit
• Kekko Fornarelli
• Kendrick Scott
• Kojoe and Hikaru Tanaka
• Kristin Berardi
• Lisa Simone
• Makaya McCraven
• Marike van Dijk
• Marquis Hill
• Mat Jodrell
• Mindy Meng Wang
• Nduduzo Makhathini
• NIASHA
• Nile Rodgers & CHIC
• Paul Grabowsky AO
• Rita Satch
• Sam Anning
• SFJAZZCollective
• Shannon Barnett
• Stephen Magnusson
• Sylent Nqo
• The Affia Band
• The CB3
• The Experience
• The Georgia Brooks Swingtet
• The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra
• The Shannon Barnett Quartet
• The Sugarfoot Ramblers
• Thndo
• Vanessa Perica
• William Barton
• Yusupha Ngum

To find out more about the Melbourne International Jazz Festival and grab tickets, head here. 

words by staff writer