This milestone edition puts the spotlight on South Australia’s rich pool of jazz talent and the beloved local venues that continue to nurture live music in the city.
As always, the festival will feature a hand-picked lineup spanning a wide range of jazz styles. The festival kicks off in spectacular style with Afro-Cuban ensemble Sabor a Cuba, led by Cuban trumpeter Lazaro Numa, fresh off the stage from his Byron Bay Bluesfest performance with The Cat Empire.
The City of Adelaide, a key partner this year through a Cultural Strategic Partnership, is presenting two free events for the community: a lunchtime concert at the iconic Adelaide Town Hall, and Jazz In The Square — an open-air evening event in Hindmarsh Square, complete with crackling firepits and tasty offerings from local food trucks.
“Music is the emotional epicentre of Adelaide’s cultural life and our city’s love of jazz stretches back to the 1950s 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.”
The Elder Conservatorium of Music at the University of Adelaide — affectionately known as ‘the Con’ — is again a Creative Partner of the festival. They’ll present a toe-tapping big band performance, and their dedicated jazz venue Hal’s Hall will host several shows throughout the festival, including a moving ANZAC Day evening concert with Millie Sarah and special guest Marlene Richards. Expect heartfelt renditions 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.”
One of the more intriguing highlights for 2025 is local jazz-rock outfit Djawbreaker, who will unveil a new set of original music inspired by the enigmatic world of filmmaker David Lynch. Their performance at The Lab will be elevated by digital visuals from artist Ryan Sahb, lighting up The Lab’s 50 square metres of LED screens.
The Adelaide Festival Centre also returns as a Creative Partner, presenting its UNESCO International Jazz Day Concert. Meanwhile, over at The Grace Emily Hotel — one of Adelaide’s most iconic live music spots — audiences can expect a fresh lineup of emerging contemporary acts, spanning 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.”
To view the full program and book tickets, head to adelaidejazzfestival.com
