Adelaide Jazz Festival 2025
The Adelaide Jazz Festival (AJF) returns in 2025 with a special extended program to celebrate the city's 10th anniversary as a UNESCO City of Music and UNESCO's International Jazz Day. This year's program focuses on the abundance of South Australian talent and spotlights the venues that regularly support live jazz in Adelaide.
The AJF will again present a curated program of diverse jazz genres, opening with Afro-Cuban jazz ensemble Sabor a Cuba, led by Cuban trumpeter Lazaro Numa returning fresh from his Byron Bay Bluesfest show with The Cat Empire.
City of Adelaide, a major partner of this year's festival through a Cultural Strategic Partnership, are presenting two free performances for the community, a lunchtime jazz concert at the iconic Adelaide Town Hall and an evening of jazz in nature with Jazz in the Square featuring cosy firepits and food trucks.
'Music is the emotional epicentre of Adelaide's cultural life and our city's love of jazz stretches back to the 1950's when underground clubs in Adelaide Arcade and North Adelaide were all the rave,' says Dr Jane Lomax-Smith AM, the Lord Mayor of Adelaide. 'We're thrilled to once again support this tremendous festival with events at the Adelaide Town Hall and Hindmarsh Square bringing some of that swing time energy back to the city.'
AJF Creative Partner, Elder Conservatorium of Music, The University of Adelaide (the 'Con'), is presenting a big band performance; and our monthly live jazz venue Hal's Hall will host several shows, including an ANZAC Day evening show with Millie Sarah and special guest Marlene Richards – both vocalists are sure to deliver swinging sets of wartime-era jazz classics.
'An annual jazz festival is an important opportunity to showcase the incredible musical talent here in South Australia,' says AJF Producer and Artistic Director, Kaya Blum. 'This year's program stretches across an exciting range of jazz styles.'
AJF Creative Parner, Adelaide Festival Centre, again present their UNESCO International Jazz Day Concert; and one of Adelaide's best live music venues, The Grace Emily Hotel, will again host the AJF's series of emerging contemporary original music acts, this year ranging from nu-jazz, jazz-funk, neo-soul and electro-jazz.
'We're incredibly grateful to the City of Adelaide and the South Australian Government's Music Development Office (MDO) for supporting this year's festival,' Blum adds. 'We're still very much a grass-roots organisation, but we're determined to keep supporting the local jazz community and provide audiences with unique live music experiences that are financially accessible.'
The 2025 program is once again dominated by Adelaide-based jazz musicians with a connection to our Elder Conservatorium jazz department. Below is a curated list of all the events featuring ECM staff, students and alumni.
UNESCO International Jazz Day
This year's headline act, the Zela Margossian Quintet, blends Armenian traditional music with contemporary jazz, creating a rich, evocative sound that has captivated audiences at the International Women's Jazz Festival, Sydney Festival, and London's EFG Jazz Festival at The Barbican.
The night features Ciara Louise Ferguson, the 2024 COMA Emerging Jazz Writer's Award recipient, performing ethereal, folky vocal jazz inspired by the beauty of the natural world.
In collaboration with UNESCO Adelaide and the Elder Conservatorium, the evening will premiere the Jazz Relay Composition, written by acclaimed South Australian composer Mark Ferguson and performed by Adelaide Edition. Experience an unforgettable night of live music that celebrates jazz in all its forms.
Wednesday 30 April 6.00pm
Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre
BOOK TICKETS
Sabor a Cuba
'Sabor a Cuba' is a vibrant Afro-Cuban jazz ensemble led by Cuban trumpeter Lazaro Numa (former Elder Conservatorium jazz staff), blending Cuban classics with his own original compositions. With infectious rhythms and Lazaro's electrifying trumpet performance, they promise an unforgettable experience that will transport you straight to the lively streets of Old Havana. The AJF is thrilled to have Lazaro performing at their opening night event, hot on the heels of his Byron Bay Bluesfest show with The Cat Empire. This is a seated event, but there'll be room to dance, so get ready to rumba!
Thursday 24 April
Doors: 5.30pm / Music: 7.00pm
Meeting Hall (behind the Adelaide Town Hall), Paul Kelly Lane / 25 Pirie Street
BOOK TICKETS
Millie Sarah's ANZAC Day Ensemble
Fresh from her sell-out seasons at the 2025 Adelaide Fringe, award-winning jazz vocalist and Elder Conservatorium alumna Millie Sarah brings her captivating and timeless style to the AJF with a nostalgic nod to the melodies that defined an era in honour of our proud ANZAC heritage. The evening features a very special guest: local jazz legend Marlene Richards. Accompanied by an ensemble of Elder Conservatorium jazz alumni (Jackson Mack, drums; Trinity Canini, trumpet; Solomon Young, piano; and Jacob Phillips, bass), this evening promises a sublime blend of nostalgia, remembrance, and the vibrant rhythms of the swing era in honour of our ANZAC heroes.
Friday 25 April
Doors: 6.00pm / Music 7.00pm
Hal's Hall (Madley Rehearsal Studio)
BOOK TICKETS
Harrison Smith Trio
Featuring Elder Conservatorium jazz alumni Tyler Venter (guitar), Harrison Smith (trumpet), and Tasha Stevens (upright bass).
Friday 25 April
Ern Malley Bar (137 Magill Rd)
Doors: 4.00pm / Music: 7.30pm
Entry via donation at the door.
Giovanni Clemente
Featuring Elder Conservatorium alumnus Giovanni Clemente (saxophone).
Friday 25 April
La Louisiane
(89 King William Street)
Dinner: 5.00pm / Music: 6.30pm
BOOK TICKETS
DJAWBREAKER
Featuring Elder Conservatorium jazz alumni Chelsea Lee (voice/synth), Django Rowe (guitar/effects), Dylan Paul (bass/effects), and Stephen Neville (drums).
Saturday 26 April
The Lab, ILA
Doors: 6.30pm / First Show:
7.00pm / Second Show: 8.45pm
Courtney Hooper
Featuring Elder Conservatorium jazz alumni, including Courtney Hooper (vocals).
Saturday 26 April
La Louisiane
(89 King William St)
Dinner: 6.00pm / Music: 7.00pm
BOOK TICKETS
King of Spain
A seven-piece band featuring five Elder Conservatorium jazz alumni: Peter White (vocals), Miles Sly (drums), David Goodwin (keys), Milush Piochaud (bass), Max Grynchuk (trumpet), Aaron Deanshaw (trombone), and Jack Degenhart (saxophone).
Saturday 26 April
The Grace Emily Hotel
Doors: 6.00pm / Music: 9.00pm
BOOK TICKETS
Elder Conservatorium Big Band
The all-student Elder Conservatorium Big Band (led by Alex Taylor) showcases a broad range of material from the traditions of Basie and Ellington to contemporary music from Maria Schneider, Michael Mossman and Mark Ferguson.
Sunday 27 April
Hal's Hall
Doors: 1.30pm / Music: 2.00pm
BOOK TICKETS
The Airbenders
Formed in 2009, The Airbenders – Elder Conservatorium jazz alumni Mike Stewart (saxophone), Paul White (Hammond organ) and Andrew Dickeson (drums) – have been playing swinging, funky, soul jazz around Adelaide and Australia. Playing a mix of originals, jazz standards and jazz 'not so standards', all underpinned by the mighty Hammond Organ. Winners of the 2013 Fowlers Live Music Awards for Best Jazz Act.
Tuesday 29 April 7.30pm
The Gilbert Street Hotel
Adam Lutley
Featuring Elder Conservatorium jazz alumnus Adam Lutley (piano).
Wednesday 30 April
La Louisiane
(89 King William Street)
Dinner: 5.00pm / Music: 5.30pm
BOOK TICKETS
Zooma Zooma
Featuring Elder Conservatorium PhD graduate Dr Julian Ferraretto (violin) and super-swinging singer and rapid-fire funny man Anthony Leppa
Wednesday 30 April
Union Hotel
Jazz Jam with The Gremilies
The Grace has held a weekly Wednesday-night jazz jam since 2019. Each week, The Gremilies present an ever-changing line-up, with special guests always dropping in. The special edition late-night jazz jam at the 2024 AFJ featured some of Adelaide's finest musicians. Who will you see this year? Keep the International Jazz Day celebrations rolling at The Grace. Limited capacity – book ahead to avoid missing out. Please note: this is not a seated performance.
Wednesday 30 April 8.30pm
The Grace Emily Hotel
BOOK TICKETS
Tanghalian
Jazz quartet Tanghalian is comprised of almost all ECM jazz alumni: Daniel Isler (trumpet), Andrew Casey (piano), Tasha Stevens (bass) and Jack Barton (drums). Performing a combination of songs from the great American songbook, from swing to Latin jazz as well as some contemporary originals, transform your lunchtime and help us celebrate our 10th anniversary as a UNESCO City of Music.
Thursday 1 May
Adelaide Town Hall
Doors: 12.00pm / Music: 12.30pm
BOOK TICKETS
Winter and Miller
Winter and Miller is an Elder Conservatorium jazz alumni-and-student duo comprised of Aisha Winter (vocals) and Morgan Miller (guitar/vocals).
Thursday 1 May
La Louisiane
Dinner: 6.00pm / Music: 7.00pm
BOOK TICKETS
Pulpland
Led by the accomplished vocalist and composer Chelsea Lee, featuring Giovanni Clemente (saxophone), Dave McEvoy (piano), Dr Lyndon Gray (bass) and Stephen Neville (drums).
Thursday 1 May
Hal's Hall
Doors: 6.00pm / Music: 7.00pm
BOOK TICKETS
Live Slug Reaction
Featuring Daniel Penberthy (saxophone), Heath Oetjen (percussion), current ECM jazz student James Nisbet (drums), Carl Smith (bass), and Finn Larcombe (electric guitar).
Thursday 1 May 9.00pm
The Grace Emily Hotel
BOOK TICKETS
Giovanni Clemente
Featuring Elder Conservatorium alumnus Giovanni Clemente (saxophone).
Friday 2 May
La Louisiane
(89 King William Street)
Dinner: 6.00pm / Music: 7.00pm
BOOK TICKETS
Jazz in the Square
Experience the soulful sounds of some of Adelaide's finest live jazz musicians while cosying up by the fire pits. There will be performances by the Victoria Katsoulis Quintet (featuring ECM jazz alumni; 4.45–5.30pm), the Daniel Isler Quintet (ECM jazz alumni; 5.45–6.30pm), and The Collective: Adelaide Jazz Supergroup (6.45–7.30pm).
Friday 2 May
Makata / Hindmarsh Square
FREE EVENT
Silk
Silk is an original house/jungle/jazz-doof band based on Kaurna Land, incorporating the use of live samples, saxophone and synths, supported by groovy drum and bass. Featuring current ECM jazz students Cooper Peoples (tenor saxophone and programming), Lachie Durrans (drums), Chair Cother-Anderson (piano and synth) and Lily Appelt (bass and moog).
Friday 2 May 9.00pm
The Grace Emily Hotel