Two of the most renowned and respected artists in jazz today, guitarist John Scofield and saxophonist Joe Lovano, will be reunited for this tour, playing compositions by both co-leaders in a quartet, with Matt Penman (San Francisco Jazz Collective, Nils Wogram, etc) on bass and Matt Wilson (Dewey Redman, Matt Wilson Quartet) on drums.

Having worked with Miles Davis in the mid '80s, John has gone on to record a series of acclaimed albums for labels including Blue Note and Verve, forging a distinctive and highly influential style that combines jazz with rock, funk and blues elements.
``For over 30 years, John Scofield has not only pushed the limits of jazz guitar, he's also pushed himself in a variety of musical contexts. From fusion to bebop to electronica to soul jazz, Scofield continues to evolve.`` - 'Guitar Player'

Joe's cv includes work with such names as Mel Lewis, Paul Motian and the John Scofield Quartet (1989-93) ; since 1991, he has recorded over 20 acclaimed albums for Blue Note, with small and large ensembles, establishing himself as one of the most creative and respected saxophonists in jazz today.
``It's fair to say that he's one of the greatest musicians in jazz history.`` - 'The New York Times'

In addition, both John and Joe will be making guest appearances with Australian artists at Wangaratta. John will perform for the first time as a guest with the James Muller Trio, while Joe will be part of the Paul Grabowsky Quintet, to perform the music they recorded in 2003 for Paul's Tales Of Time And Space cd.

www.johnscofield.com
www.joelovano.com

DAVID MURRAY BLACK SAINT QUARTET

One of the most important and accomplished saxophonists of the last three decades in jazz, David Murray is certainly the most prolific, having recorded over 130 albums since 1975. A powerfully emotive and adventurous soloist on tenor saxophone and bass clarinet, he has received a Grammy, a Guggenheim Fellowship and the Jazzpar Prize in 1991. He will be joined by Lafayette Gilchrist (piano), Jaribu Shahid (bass) and Malik Washington (drums).
Far and away the greatest tenor saxophonist of his generation - 'The Village Voice'

www.myspace.com/davidmurraymusic

JIM McNEELY (USA)

New York pianist, composer and arranger Jim McNeely, last seen at Wangaratta in 2002, has worked with such names as Stan Getz, Phil Woods, the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. He will perform with the Spare Parts Jazz Orchestra, led by Sydney saxophonist-arranger Gai Bryant.

Trumpets : Warwick Alder, Don Rader, Angus Gomm, Daryl Carthew
Trombones : Jeremy Borthwick, David Michaels, Lucien mcGuinness, Colin Burrows
Saxophones : Gai Bryant, Andrew Robertson, Paul Cutlan, Roger Manins, Craig Walters
Piano : Jim McNeely
Bass : Brendan Clarke
Drums : Andrew Dickeson

www.jim-mcneely.com

GRETCHEN PARLATO (USA)

Winner of the 2004 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition, Gretchen Parlato has worked with such names as Herbie Hancock and Terence Blanchard. She will perform at Wangaratta with guitarist Mike Moreno. ''A singer with a deep, almost magical connection to the music.'' - Herbie Hancock.

gretchenparlato.com/

ILMILIEKKI QUARTET (FINLAND)

This acclaimed young Finnish band (the name means 'open fire') combines the talents of Verneri Pohjola (trumpet), Tuomo Prattala (piano), Antti Lotjonen (bass) and Olavi Louhivuori (drums). They play original music, and arrangements of pieces by artists like Bjork, Radiohead, Tom Waits and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
''(their music) seethes with youthful abandon and muses with thoughtful maturity.'' - 'All About Jazz'

www.ilmiliekki.net

LOS KROKODILLOS (SPAIN)

Los Krokodillos are an unlikely combination of young musicians from Spain, Australia, Japan, England and Russia, who play an energetic, entertaining brand of 1920s jazz, fused with modern rhythms and songs.
Glenn Jacobi (trombone) ; Mikha Violin (banjo, vocals) ; Marti Elias (washboard, drums) ; Chiaki Mawatari (tuba) ; Juli Aymi (clarinet); Jay Wallis (trumpet).

www.krokodillos.com

Victoria’s Biggest Blues Program

The Wangaratta Festival Of Jazz always includes Victoria’s biggest and best blues program. This year is no exception with the following international artists joining the line up, all at the Blues Marquee.

DUKE ROBILLARD (USA)

Since he formed Roomful Of Blues back in 1967, guitarist-singer Duke Robillard has been delighting blues fans, both onstage and on record. He has won 4 WC Handy Awards for Best Blues Guitarist, and has worked with everyone from Bob Dylan to Jay McShann. Duke will perform exclusively at Wangaratta with a stellar lineup, featuring Paul Williamson (saxophone), Tim Neal (organ, piano), Fiona Boyes (guitar), Dean Addison (bass) and Mark Grunden (drums).
''A soloist of stunning force and originality.'' - 'The New York Times'

www.dukerobillard.com