11 magnificent shows in 10 nights showcasing the best of local and international jazz!

The Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival is simply one of the most important cultural events on the Australian jazz calendar and the only festival of its kind dedicated to women bandleaders, musicians and composers. Now in its second decade, this vital festival presents the world’s best jazz musicians alongside our own local innovators in a way that celebrates the unparalleled creativity of women.

The festival begins on Thursday October 22 at State Theatre with all-time great jazz vocalist and multiple Grammy and Tony Award-winner Dee Dee Bridgewater with Helen Sung, plus Michelle Nicolle & Hugh Stuckey.

On October 23, Tomeka Reid and her acclaimed contemporary jazz quartet come to ACO Neilsen Theatre featuring visionary guitarist Mary Halvorson for a breathtaking performance where fearless improvisation, bold composition and extraordinary musical chemistry collide for an unforgettable night.

Saturday, October 24th, sees Grammy-winning pianist Kris Davis bringing her acclaimed trio to St Stephen’s Uniting Church alongside Soojin Suh’s Coloris Trio to form a boundary-pushing double bill.

To finish off the weekend on Sunday October 25, SIMA welcomes acclaimed poet, vocalist, and bandleader aja monet for her highly anticipated Sydney debut for the Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival 2026.

Next up, step into a world of imagined forests, cinematic soundscapes and lyrical improvisation as acclaimed pianist and composer Belle Chen presents an enchanting solo performance of music from ‘Ravel In The Forest’ and beyond.

On the same night, saxophonist and composer Kali Gillen premieres adventurous new work with an outstanding ensemble, while APRA award winner Sophie Min performs a rare and intimate solo set for this SIWJF event in collaboration with Monday Night Confessions.

On Tuesday October 27, Australian-born, New York-based vocalist Olivia Chindamo together with pianist Matthew Sheens return home to celebrate the release of their second duo album, Putting it Together—a fearless and deeply personal collection that reimagines the art of song.

The middle of the week sees Sumn Conduit bring their electroacoustic textures, virtuosic vocalisations, polyrhythms and a rich genre ambiguity to Newtown Mission Church. This duo project of Dharawal vocalist, composer and writer Sonya Holowell, and modular synthesist and composer Ben Carey challenges hegemonies of power through form, content and process.

Thursday October 29 features the debut collaboration between two exciting new voices in contemporary music: Tokyo-based pianist, composer and electronic artist Misaki Umei and Eora/Sydney drummer, producer and sonic architect Cracked Suzies (Abby Constable).

The Vanguard then hosts two generations of exceptional Australian vocal artistry in one unforgettable evening as one of Australia’s most compelling new voices Ruby Jackson joins jazz and soul royalty Tina Harrod for a momentous double bill.

To close the festival in style, acclaimed Australian jazz innovators Sandy Evans and Andrea Keller join internationally celebrated vocalist Kristin Berardi and acclaimed improviser Jenny Barnes to form Resonance – a powerful new collaboration that brings together four extraordinary artists at the height of their creative powers.

The full 2026 Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival program is here:

Date & Venue	Headline	Support
Thursday October 22, 2026 7:00pm – 11:00pm State Theatre	Dee Dee Bridgewater Duo with Helen Sung	Michelle Nicolle & Hugh Stuckey
Friday October 23, 2026 7:00pm – 10:00pm ACO Neilson Theatre	Tomeka Reid Quartet feat. Mary Halvorson	Véronique Serret
Saturday October 24, 2026 7:00pm – 11:00pm St Stephens Uniting Church	Kris Davis Trio	Soojin Suh Coloris Trio
Sunday October 25, 2026 7:00pm – 11:00pm Oxford Art Factory	aja monet	Monstress
Monday October 26, 2026 7:00pm – 10:00pm 21 Shepherd	Belle Chen	Underwards
Monday October 26, 2026 8:00pm – 10:00pm Church St Studios	KG Project + Sophie Min	Monday Night Confessions
Tuesday October 27, 2026 7:00pm – 10:00pm 21 Shepherd	Olivia Chindamo	Emily Rose and The Wild
Wednesday October 28, 2026 8:00pm – 10:00pm Newtown Mission Church	Sumn Conduit + Bonnie Stewart	Eight O’Clock Sharp
Thursday October 29, 2026 7:00pm – 10:00pm Heaps Normal Health Club	Misaki Umei x Cracked Suzies	Dorka Foster
Friday October 30, 2026 7:00pm – 11:00pm The Vanguard	Tina Harrod + Ruby Jackson	–
Saturday October 31, 2026 7:00pm – 11:00pm Paddington Uniting Church	Resonance	The ConChords

What: The Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival

Where: Various venues

When: 22 – 31 October 2026

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