Festival History
Since 1990, Wangaratta has hosted performances by a remarkable array of international jazz artists. These include some of the acknowledged greats of the modern jazz era, as well as many distinctive and significant artists who richly deserve wider recognition.
Among the bands/artists to appear at Wangaratta from the USA have been The Zawinul Syndicate, the Dave Holland Quintet, the John Scofield-Joe Lovano Quartet, David Murray's Black Saint Quartet, the Dave Douglas Quintet, Mark Helias' Open/Loose; singers Betty Carter, Sheila Jordan, Kurt Elling and Claire Martin; saxophonists Steve Lacy, Sam Rivers, Dewey Redman, Oliver Lake, Dave Liebman, Arthur Blythe, Gary Bartz, Odean Pope and Vincent Herring; guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel; and pianists Kenny Kirkland, Barry Harris, Henry Butler and Horace Tapscott.
Visitors from Europe have included: from the Netherlands, drummer Han Bennink with the Clusone Trio, with the Borstlap-Glerum-Bennink trio, the Eric Boeren 4tet and the ICP Orchestra; along with Available Jelly and the Willem Breuker Kollektief. From France, the Louis Sclavis Quintet. From Norway, the Tord Gustavsen Trio; from Sweden, the Esbjorn Svensson Trio, the Tolvan Big Band and The Swedish Jazz Kings. From Denmark, saxophonist Jakob Dinesen. From Poland, trumpet maestro Tomasz Stanko and his Quartet. From Germany, Nor bert Stein's Pata Masters, Florian Ross and Nils Wogram's Root 70. From the UK, saxophonist Trevor Watts with his Moire Music ensemble. From Ireland, bassist Ronan Guilfoyle and his Trio. From Luxembourg, vibist Pascal Schumacher and his Quartet. From Finland, the Ilmiliekki Quartet.
The Australian Art Orchestra has performed concerts with guest musicians from India, and from Indonesia.
Since 1990, the Festival has featured a host of Australian jazz greats like Don Burrows, Graeme Bell, Bernie McGann, Bob Barnard, Paul Grabowsky, Allan Browne, Mike Nock, Ted Vining, Bob Sedergreen, Bryce Rohde, James Morrison, Tom Baker, Geoff Bull, Dale Barlow, Joe Chindamo, Mark Simmonds, Ade Monsbourgh and Vince Jones; and bands like the Australian Art Orchestra, Ten Part Invention, Clarion Fracture Zone, the Red Onions, the Port Jackson Jazz Band, the Yarra Yarra Jazz Band, The Necks, Band Of Five Names, The Hoodangers and Vada. Opportunities at Wangaratta have boosted the careers of such artists as pianists Barney McAll and Mark Fitzgibbon, saxophonists Julien Wilson, Jamie Oehlers and Sandy Evans, singers Michelle Nicolle and Elana Stone, guitarists James Muller and Steve Magnusson and trumpeter Scott Tinkler.
The blues program has been headlined by such names as Billy Boy Arnold, Jody Williams, Johnnie Johnson, Corey Harris, Alvin'Youngblood' Hart, Bob Margolin, Mem Shannon and The Membership, Little Charlie and The Nightcats, Duke Robillard, Robert Belfour and Hamilton Loomis. And of course, the blues stage has featured outstanding Australian talents like The Backsliders, Chris Wilson, Geoff Achison, Dutch Tilders, Fiona Boyes, Harper, The Mighty Reapers, Bridie King and the Bondi Cigars.