2025 PROGRAM
All venues are located in Adelaide CBD unless otherwise stated.
Opening night: Thursday 24 April 2025
Sabor a Cuba
Meeting Hall (behind the Town Hall), Paul Kelly Lane/25 Pirie Street
Doors: 5.30pm
Announcements: 6.30 pm
Music: 7pm
Sabor a Cuba is a vibrant Afro-Cuban jazz ensemble led by Cuban trumpeter Lazaro Numa, blending traditional 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 our opening night event at the beautiful Meeting Hall behind Adelaide Town Hall, 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!
Friday 25 April 2025
Hal’s Hall: Madley Rehearsal Studio, the University of Adelaide (Enter from Kintore Ave, via Gate 14)
Doors: 6pm
Music: 7pm
Harrison Smith Trio
Ern Malley Bar: 137 Magill Rd, Stepney
Doors: from 4pm
Music: 7.30 pm
The Harrison Smith Trio features an exciting blend of modern jazz, funk, neo-soul and blues, featuring old classics and original tunes that will perk up your ears and keep you on the edge of your seat. The trio has performed at some of the top venues in South Australia, such as the South Australian Museum, the National Wine Centre and many more. Featuring the talents of Tyler Venter on the guitar, Tasha Stevens on the upright bass and Harrison Smith on the trumpet, come on down to listen as they provide some delectable hors d’oeuvres for your aural palate.
Giovanni Clemente
La Louisiane: 89 King William Street
Dinner from: 5pm
Music: 6.30pm
Saturday 26 April 2025
Minnie Little Trad Band
The Institute Building, State Library of SA, cnr Kintore Ave & North Terrace
Doors: 1.30pm
Music: 2pm
DJAWBREAKER does Lynchian art-jazz
Venue: TBC
Doors: 6.30pm
First show: 7pm
Second show: 8.30pm
Courtney Hooper
La Louisiane: 89 King William Street
Dinner from: 5pm
Music: 7pm
King Of Spain
The Grace Emily Hotel: 232 Waymouth Street
Doors: 6pm
Music: 9pm
Sunday 27 to Tuesday 29 April 2025
Sunday 27 April
The Elder Conservatorium Big Band
Hal’s Hall: Madley Rehearsal Studio, the University of Adelaide (Enter from Kintore Ave, via Gate 14)
Doors: 1.30pm
Music: 2pm
Tuesday 29 April
Liam Garcia-Hardman
La Louisiane: 89 King William Street
Dinner from: 5pm
Music: 6.30pm
Tuesday 29 April
The Airbenders
Gilbert Street Hotel: 88 Gilbert Street
Music: 7.30pm
Formed in 2009, The Airbenders 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.
Wednesday 30 April 2025: UNESCO International Jazz Day
Adelaide Festival Centre and Nexus Arts present
UNESCO International Jazz Day concert
With the Zela Margossian Quintet, COMA winner Ciara Louise Ferguson, and the premiere of Adelaide Edition.
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 Adelaide City of Music 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.
Adam Lutley
La Louisiane: 89 King William Street
Dinner from: 5pm
Music: 5.30pm
Zooma Zooma
Union Hotel: 70 Waymouth Street
The Union Hotel hosts live jazz every Wednesday night with a different band each week.
Jazz jam with The Gremilies
The Grace Emily Hotel: 232 Waymouth Street
Music 8.30pm – 11pm
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 AJF featured some of Adelaide’s finest musicians and amazing jams with the likes of Dave McEvoy, Lyndon Gray, Chelsea Lee, Alex Taylor and Matthew Sheens SA/NY), to name a few.
Who will you see this year?
Keep the International Jazz Day celebrations rolling at The Grace. Limited capacity – book ahead to avoid missing out.
Thursday 1 May 2025
Adelaide Town Hall presents:
Tanghalian
Adelaide Town Hall: King William Street
Doors: 12pm
Music: 12.30-1.30pm
Adelaide Town Hall Jazz Concert 2024. Photo: Lana Adams
Jazz quartet Tanghalian features Daniel Isler on trumpet, Andrew Casey on piano, Tasha Stevens on bass and Jack Barton on 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.
Winter Miller
La Louisiane: 89 King William Street
Dinner from: 5pm
Music: 6.30pm
Photo: The Veil Music
Pulpland
Hal’s Hall: Madley Rehearsal Studio, the University of Adelaide (Enter from Kintore Ave, via Gate 14)
Doors: 6pm
Music: 7pm
Live Slug Reaction
The Grace Emily Hotel: 232 Waymouth Street
Music: 9pm
Friday 2 May 2025
Giovanni Clemente
La Louisianne: 80 King William Street
Dinner from: 6pm
Music: 7pm
City of Adelaide presents
Jazz in the Square
Mukata/Hindmarsh Square
Music: 4.30-7.30pm
Join us for a free twilight community concert this May at Jazz in the Square.
Experience the soulful sounds of some of Adelaide’s finest live jazz musicians while cosying up by fire pits.
Delicious food and wine brought to you by local traders will be available for purchase.
Performances by:
Victoria Katsoulis Quintet – 4.45-5.30pm
Daniel Isler Quintet – 5.45-6.30pm
The Collective: Adelaide Jazz Supergroup – 6.45-7.30pm
Silk
The Grace Emily Hotel: 232 Waymouth Street
Music: 9pm
