The Castlemaine Jazz Festival returns this King’s Birthday weekend and once again promises an incredible lineup with more than 40 bands and performers set to feature across six local venues.
Castlemaine Jazz Festival director Lyndal McClure said this year’s lineup was incredibly diverse and truly offered something for everyone.
“Opening night at The Goods Shed will feature our very own Thompson’s Foundry Band, and local choirs with, for the first time, the exciting Castlemaine Jazz Festival Orchestra.
“A highlight of the evening will be the stunning a cappella harmony of the Velvetones,” Lyndal said.
The velvet-voiced virtuosos perform everything from heart stirring jazz ballads to cheeky early Broadway ditties to hypnotise and delight.
The event kicks off at 7pm Friday and tickets will be available at the door.
Late inclusion
After the paper went to press this week, the news broke that the great Vince Jones, having taken a tumble, was getting himself repaired, but not quite quickly enough for CJF’s forthcoming appearances, which is a great shame.
Lyndal said the concerts featuring Vince Jones and ARIA award winner Paul Grabowsky would hopefully be restored at a later date. However, someone wonderful has come to the rescue – fellow ARIA award winner Meg Washington!
“With a friendship and musical relationship spanning 20 years, Meg Washington and Paul Grabowsky have a mutual admiration society of enduring value,” Lyndal said.
“The songs they have written together have great poignancy, and their mutual love of material, from Washington’s own extraordinary oeuvre through the songbooks of artists from the popular canon spanning eighty years (from Billie Holiday to Taylor swift) promise a memorable night of song, intimate and moving.”
Super Saturday
“Saturday will see a huge lineup at the Castlemaine Bowling Club from 11.30am to 7pm including The Hackney Sacks, The ‘Maine Course and festival favourites Shirazz,” Lyndal said.
“We will also be welcoming an international ensemble called Dans Les Abres, comprising French clarinetist Xavier Charles and three Norwegians, a pianist, guitarist and percussionist who will performing in the beautiful Anglican Church on Agitation Hill.
“Hot from the Castlemaine State Festival the impressive Aryo Seno Ensemble will also feature.
“Newcomers to the 2026 event include Mad Vantage which have connections to Castlemaine, the Nat Bartsch Quartet, Girls Night In, Monkey Stick and Exit Left.
“Don’t forget Anticlinal Fold, Low Down Big Band, Red Sand Big Band, and Mount Kujo just to name a few.”
All this and more across six venues including, Theatre Royal, Castlemaine Bowling Club, Coolroom at the Northern Arts Hotel, The Goods Shed, Anglican Church and the new Jazz Lounge and Jazz Jam at the Maurocco Bar, Midland Hotel.
“This year we have a wider range of food options available to keep festival goers fueled up including pizza at the Maurocco Bar and paella at The Goods Shed.
“There is also a great range of ticketing options including day passes, weekend passes, and the all new $50 ‘Try Ticket’ available at the door which allows you to see three acts over three hours – a great introduction to the festival for the uninitiated.”
For the full program or to grab your ticket, visit castlemainejazzfestival.com.au