SIMA announces the Jazz: NOW SUMMER FESTIVAL 

Sunday 30 January – Thurs 3 March – 2022

SIMA launches its most extensive Summer Festival to date, bringing together an exceptional roster of artists from across Australia.

The festival highlights remarkable diversity, and does not limit itself to any one genre. With jazz as its bedrock, the program reveals iconic artistry, as well as a dynamic new breed of exciting contemporary performers.

The concert hall at Paramatta’s Riverside Theatre opens its doors for Brisbane’s Katie Noonan, kicking off the festival on Sunday 30 January, premiering her latest album ‘The Sweetest Taboo’. Closing the festival, the venue plays host to the World Premiere of ‘Zashito?’  performed by the star-studded Mara Big Band on Wednesday 2 March.

Intimate Speakeasy’s and underground clubs are the heart and soul of our city. SIMA is proud to be an important part of this scene, supporting the resurgence of live music after two difficult years.

Newly anointed, The Great Club, in Marrickville, will be home to three sensational double bills – The Subterraneans and Brekky Boy on February 3, Audrey Powne and Alex Hirlian Quintet on February 4 and Freedman Fellowship winners Hilary Geddes and Nick Garbett on February 10. A cracking combination featuring the best of the Inner West, home grown talent and Melbourne’s rising stars, each evening promises beautiful music and great company.

Foundry616 is approaching a decade as Sydney’s premier jazz club and will host Sydney stalwarts, Hammerhead alongside young gun guitarist Josh Meader trio on February 9, and will highlight the next-gen leaders of the alto saxophone Ben Lerner and Tessie Overmyer on February 16.

Formally known as The Basement, Mary’s Underground has played host to many of SIMA’s most progressive acts recently, and this festival will be no exception. Mary’s will become a festival within a festival with no less than seven concerts of iconic Australian jazz artists; including legendary pianists Mike Nock and Wayne Kelly as well as the brilliant new school, represented by the like of HEKKA and Zela Margossian who will launch her sophomore album on Sat 25 Feb (Ropeadope Records).

Mary’s will also host Melbourne’s Claire Cross and her immersive, electro-acoustic suite ‘Into Light’ which was commissioned by the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, alongside indie/rock/jazz fusion outfit COAST led by drummer Paul Derricott. The new generation of Australian jazz represent on Friday 18 with Emanation, a new project by drummer Chloe Kim that showcases an all-star band featuring Sandy Evans, Jonathan Zwartz, Hilary Geddes and Zela Margossian. Emanation will perform in a double bill with critically acclaimed Delay 45 led by Tom Avgenicos.

The Mary’s season concludes with two nights of Alister Spence’s stunning sonic trip Asteroid Ekosystem on Sat 26 and Sun 27 February. The band is truly a supergroup for the 21st century featuring pioneering guitarist Ed Kuepper (The Saints, Laughing Clowns), and legendary bassist Lloyd Swanton (The Necks).

Johnston Street Jazz is one of Sydney’s most enduring music co-ops and SIMA is delighted to partner and present pianist and composer Nat Bartsch playing her acclaimed lullabies. There’s a night time show on Sunday 6 February followed by a special day performance for all ages on Monday 7.

Zetland’s favourite new venue, Ruby’s Pop Up Outdoor Music Club at Joynton Avenue Creative Centre will become the sonic playground for a three-day Summer Fiesta, with day and night concerts on February 11, 12 and 13. It’s a global groove for all ages with the Balkan Gypsy horns of The Glorious Sousaphonics featuring songstress Nadya Golski, West African guitarist Moussa Diakite & Wassado, R&B  powerhouse Jo Fabro’s Home Cookin’ and neo-soul super group MEME Wars. Picnic by day, party by night – it’s Sydney’s perfect summer setting.

The JAZZ:NOW Summer Festival is a smorgasbord of styles and global influences that reflect the resilience of local artists and venue operators who champion live music. Eclectic and boldly forward-facing, this program speaks to an exciting future of contemporary jazz and music in Australia.

What: Jazz: NOW Summer Festival

Who: SIMA

When: Jan 30 to Mar 3

Where: Various Locations

To Find Out More & To Book Online Click Here