The Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF) was scheduled to present its 23rd festival featuring more than 500 Australian and international artists in over 25 venues across Melbourne.

Instead (due to COVID-19 circumstances), MIJF has adapted quickly to present These Digital Times, an online music festival series featuring local and international artists on the last Saturday of May, June and July.

Completely free, These Digital Times is live-streamed via the MIJF website direct to YouTube with programming from 12pm to 10.30pm, including music for kids, career development panels for artists and industry as well as performances from emerging artists and the big names in Australian and international jazz and contemporary music.

Broadcast and recorded in high definition from a Melbourne production studio, the live-stream program for These Digital Times has been shaped around some of the amazing artists who live and work in Melbourne.

The May line-up includes multi-ARIA award-winning vocalist Kate Ceberano performing songs from her forays into jazz as well as the album launch for saxophonist Julien Wilson’s STOCK projectthatfeatures Craig Fermanis (electric guitar), Chris Hale (bass guitar) and Hugh Harvey (drums).

Mesmerizing vocalist Gretchen Parlato will join her partner, internationally acclaimed drummer and composer Mark Guiliana, in a unique vocal and drum duo project recorded in isolation from their home studio in America. 

While violin-wizard, Luca Ciarla, will transcend boundaries between music genres and stream a solo looping violin set direct from Italy.

MIJF CEO Hadley Agrez explains that These Digital Times provides a free and accessible experience for audiences direct to their homes as well as much needed opportunities for musicians, artists and arts workers during COVID-19 restrictions.

Following each monthly These Digital Times program, content will be available for another four weeks on the MIJF website.

MIJF will announce the June and July line-up for These Digital Times soon via the MIJF website and social media channels. 

Are you a jazz fan? Who is your favourite jazz artist?