Festival
The Wangaratta Festival Of Jazz is regarded as Australia's premier jazz event, and invitations to perform at the Festival are not easily achieved. Each year, many more artists want to perform at the Festival than can possibly be included in the program. This applies to both Australian and international performers.
Performers for both the jazz and blues programs are selected by the Festival's artistic director, Adrian Jackson. Selection is based on artistic excellence, and stylistic balance within the context of each year's program. The program is assembled between February and May each year.
There is no formal application process, any band or artist whose work is not already known to Adrian can send material including a current recording, biography and media reports for consideration to:
Adrian Jackson
c/- PO Box 860
Wangaratta
Victoria 3676
Australia
Owing to the huge number of expressions of interest received by the Festival, it is not always possible to reply to everyone, or to return material submitted.
Community Stage
There is an alternative for bands who do not secure a position on the main program, namely the Reid Street Community Stage. This is the Festival's biggest venue, being a free, open-air stage in the city's main street. The program includes a range of performers in jazz and blues styles, with an emphasis on secondary and tertiary student ensembles, both from north-east Victoria and from outside the region. Performers on this stage do not receive a fee for performance bu t receive passes to see the main program performers. Application forms will be forwarded to those bands interested in performing at Reid Street in June. Again, many more bands want to perform at Reid Street than can be included in the program each year.
Expressions of interest to:
David Ashfield - ashfield.david@gmail.com
6 Johnstons Lane
Wangaratta
Victoria 3677
Include a recent recording, if available.