Melbourne International Jazz Festival Announces 2023 Program

August 29, 2023

Melbourne International Jazz Festival has unveiled its 2023 program, with Chaka Khan and Nile Rodgers & Chic leading the announcement. The two legendary artists will kick off the festival with a launch show at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Saturday, 21st October, supported by Kaiit and Melbourne crew Horns of Leroy.

Artists like Bumpy, Thndo, and songwriter Rita Satch will appear on the same weekend at Federation Square – which will be holding free performances for the entire opening weekend from Friday, 20th to Sunday, 22nd October.

Rufus & Chaka Khan: ‘Ain’t Nobody’

Elsewhere, Lisa Simone – the daughter of Nina – will play a show at Hamer Hall in celebration of her mother’s legacy. UK trio GoGo Penguin will make their Australian debut at the Forum, and US group SFJAZZCollective will be heading to Australia for the first time to play a show at the Melbourne Recital Centre.

Australian trombonist and composer Shannon Bennett will lead a performance of her Dead Weight show, which will see her team up with 18 other musicians at the Melbourne City Baths, leading the audience through various spaces around the building.

Katie Noon’s Elixir will appear for sets across the week, launching their new album A Small Shy Truth, and other local acts like Vanessa Perica, Jamie Oehlers, Julien Wilson, Ben Vanderwal, Mat Jodrell, and Andrea Keller are all locked in. Chinese-Australia composer Mindy Meng Weng will also team up with composer and pianist Paul Grabowsky AO for a performance at Chapel Off Chapel.