Jazz by the Bay goes global in 2017

  It seems fitting that in its fifth year, Jazz by the Bay is going global, with international acts making an appearance in Dunsborough, Busselton and surrounds for the first time, as the Festival expands to four days.

[From the media release]

“Thanks to growing demand, this year’s festival will run from the Friday to the Monday of the June long weekend (2-5 June), and we’re shaping up to have more than 40 performances performing in about 20 venues across the region”, Festival Director Cindy Wiese said.  “Jazz by the Bay turns the heat up in winter, gets visitors and locals out of hibernation and into some cozy venues to enjoy cool jazz. I’m really excited about the way this year’s program is already looking”, she added.

This year’s headliners include Eclectic young Singapore band The Steve McQueens; three musicians from the legendary Buena Vista Social Club orchestra teaming up with popular Perth jazz crooner and musician Adam Hall with the Velvet Playboys; UK-based jazz singer and recording artist Karen Lane with her four-piece band, and festival favourite the vivacious Cathrine Summers.

The Steve McQueens have been winning fans around Singapore and Asia, playing to glowing praise at festivals like Japan’s iconic Summersonic, Indonesia’s Java Jazz, Singapore’s Sing-jazz and London’s O2 Indigo. Describing their music as ‘neo-vintage soul-funk’, their sound draws influence from artists as diverse as Theolonius Monk, James Brown, Erykah Badu, Amy Winehouse, Brad Mehldau, Steely Dan and Robert Glasper – from soulful and sultry to eclectic and eccentric.


 The band’s name is inspired by the 1960s and ’70s actor Steve McQueen as an icon for cool, for his anti-hero persona and iconic films. They’ve just released their latest CD, Seamonster, produced in London at Livingston Studios. Their appearance in WA is made possible thanks to a new relationship established by Jazz by the Bay organisers with the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, which is held over the same weekend. The McQueens will play in Melbourne and then head straight to the south west for a Sunday night performance.

The Buena Vista Social Club had phenomenal international success 20 years ago when their first album was released, spectacularly reviewed and word of mouth spread around the world. Buena Vista’s irresistible Cuban rhythms did not wane and they continue to sell successfully today. Three musicians hailing from Cuba, Lazaro Pompa (trumpet), Pablo Calzado (drums) and Camila Cortina Bello (piano) will combine with slick Perth songster Adam Hall and the Velvet Playboys for a night of hot latin and high energy at the Piano Box Jazz Bar at Old Broadwater Farm.

The Playboys are regularly invited to perform internationally. The seven-piece band will take on the music of Buena Vista Social Club as well as hit songs from Coldplay, Rolling Stones, The Eagles, Elvis and more, fusing fiery Latin rhythms with pop classics. Wear your dancing shoes! 

Karen Lane has been based in London for 16 years but hails from Perth originally. She has released five albums to critical acclaim, and she has worked with some of the UK’s finest musicians performing from Monte Carlo to Cape Town, and in some of London’s premier jazz clubs. She has a versatile style, swinging from jazz standards to Bossa Nova.

Cathrine Summers has performed at all but one Jazz by the Bay Festival and her award-winning shows regularly sell out thanks to her charisma, on-stage charm, sultry voice and incredible vocal range.

Also confirmed for Jazz by the Bay 2017 are Nadira and Friends. Hailing from Tasmania, Nadira is a fresh face on the Australian jazz scene. She’s performed at all Tasmanian jazz festivals and had sold out gigs at Devonport Jazz Fest in 2016. She’s performed at venues across Hobart and Melbourne including MONA, Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Open Studio, and Paris Cat. Nadira will be accompanied by well known local jazz band  Jazztrix for a foot stomping and heart swooning performance!

Further acts include Doxy, Cassandra Charlick, SSB Quintet, The Sets, Freddie Grigson and Allira Wilson (Australian Bell Award for best jazz vocal album 2014), Serge Le Goueff, Elle Deslandes, South West Trad Jazz Collective, Mr & Mrs Smith, Pete Jeavons, Chris Tarr, Danny Moss Jnr, the Penny King Quartet, Jazz Jacks, WA Youth Jazz Orchestra and more.  

Free and ticketed events are scheduled across the Jazz by the Bay long weekend indoors and out and catering for all jazz tastes – for cool cats, swingers, scatters and jivers. There’ll be all-day free live music at Dunsborough’s Lions Park on Saturday and Sunday, and ticketed daytime, dinnertime and shows late into the night at wineries, bars, theatres and private properties.

Jazz by the Bay provides a complete feast for the senses with many events including stunning local food and wine in the experience.

More acts will be announced in coming weeks and a full program of Jazz by the Bay performances will be available from the event website along with ticketing information. Visit the event’s Facebook page for all the latest news and www.margaretriver.com for accommodation options.

The Festival is made possible thanks to support from City of Busselton, Tourism Western Australia, Department of Regional Development – Royalties for Regions, Retravision, Satterley and more.