Music for the soul takes over

Jazz fans are in for a treat this month as the Melbourne International Jazz festival hits town.

International headline acts such as Cassandra Wilson, Chucho Valdes and the Afro-Cuban Messengers will join local talents like Joe Camilleri, Sarah McKenzie and Mahalia Barnes. The musicians take to Southbank locations the Arts Centre and Melbourne Recital Centre, as well as plenty of others around Melbourne.

As reported last month, the festival will also include a free march through Southbank, led by American group Rebirth Brass Band over the opening weekend.

There will also be events on at Federation Square and ACMI Jazz on Film will run at the Australian Centre for Moving Image across the festival.

The festival’s artistic director Michael Tortoni said Melbourne should be ready for a world-class festival, the envy of many.

“It’s a focused celebration of our uniquely gifted musicians, locally, nationally and internationally to get together and play. It’s particularly special for Melbourne to host such events, as we happen to have a world class pool of musicians that live here,” Mr Tortoni said.

He went on to explain why Southbank was a vital part of the festival, saying: “Southbank is an attractive and vibrant gateway to the cultured entertainment precinct, Melbourne Recital Centre, Hamer Hall, Fed Square, The Forum, The Kelvin Club and Bennetts Lane Jazz Club.”

He also said highlights to look out for within Southbank were Cassandra Wilson Band and Chucho Valdes and the Afro Cuban All Stars, who are both playing at Hamer Hall.

For more information on the festival and for tickets, head to the website www.melbournejazz.com