2025 ARTISTS
in the AJF curated program
Sabor a Cuba
Photo credit: Heidi Lewis
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!
Featuring:
- Lazaro Numa – trumpet & vocals
- Juan Guillermo – guitar
- Ciro Jimenez – güiro, maracas
- Fabian Hevia – congas, bell
DJAWBREAKER does Lynchian art-jazz
Photo credit: Isabel Armstrong
Known for his unforgettable use of music and sound in film and television, David Lynch’s haunting, twisted worlds will come alive as Kaura Yerta jazz-rock group Djawbreaker takes you on a sonic journey deep into the eerie and the sublime, paired with accompanying visuals by Rusted Chroma across The Lab’s 50sqm of LED screens.
Djawbreaker made a strong debut on the Adelaide scene in 2021, quickly earning praise as an exciting new sonic force. What began as four jazz improvisers collaborating on lead vocalist Chelsea Lee’s 2019 jazz-rock album Fargo, gradually evolved into Djawbreaker—an ever-changing identity blending gritty, experimental jazz-rock.
Djawbreaker will perform new and original music built from the world of the late artistic visionary, David Lynch. This dark, cinematic project leans towards the future of experimental jazz, by further stretching the boundaries that jazz plays in the creative field today. Featuring:
- Chelsea Lee – voice, synth
- Django Rowe – guitar
- Dylan Paul – bass
- Stephen Neville – drums
Silk
Silk is an original house/jungle/jazz-doof band based on Kaurna Land. With the band’s unique live set and sound, they have already built a strong connection in the Adelaide scene, supporting Alexander Flood on his 2024 international tour in Adelaide, and Naarm/Melbourne duo Close Counters at Summertown Studios.
Silk incorporates the use of live samples, saxophone and synths, supported by groovy drum and bass. Taking inspiration from artists Yussef Days, No News and the Berlin Nu-Jazz scene, the band aims to blend digital music found in clubs with jazz-inspired melodies and rhythms for all to get down and dance to.
Featuring:
- Cooper Peoples – Tenor Sax and Programming
- Lachie Durrans – Drums
- Chair Cother-Anderson – Piano and Synth
- Lily Appelt – Bass and Moog
The Elder Conservatorium Big Band
Co-presented by the Elder Conservatorium (jazz), The University of Adelaide
Big Band Director: Alex Taylor
The Elder Conservatorium Big Band was formed by the original Head of Jazz, Hal Hall in the late 1970’s. Under the direction of Dusty Cox, the Big Band received the 2009 ‘Outstanding College Performance’ award in DownBeat’s ‘32nd Annual Student Music Awards’ – the first Australian University ensemble to receive this prestigious award.
The ensemble has worked with jazz giants including Bob Mintzer, Lee Konitz, Wycliffe Gordon, Errol Buddle, Don Burrows, Michelle Nicolle, Ray Vega, Lauren Henderson, Julian Ferraretto and many others. It has appeared at the Manly Jazz Festival three times; featured at the Montsalvat Jazz Festival in 1995; and in 2002 performed at the prestigious Wangaratta Jazz Festival.
The Big Band has also toured extensively throughout South Australia and in 1994 it produced a CD Live at the Walker’s Arms, and completed a further studio recording in 2008. The Open Music Academy at the Elder Conservatorium includes the Big Band in their many educational tours around South Australia in their outreach programs.
The band showcases a broad range of material from the traditions of Basie and Ellington to contemporary music from Maria Schneider, Michael Mossman and Mark Ferguson.
Many alumni have gone on to very successful international careers as performers, composer/arrangers and educators. Leading artists such as Thomas Voss, Andrew Crago, Alex Flood, Ben Harrison and Adam Page spent their formative years in the band.
Millie Sarah’s ANZAC Day Ensemble with special guest Marlene Richards
Fresh from her sell-out season at the 2025 Adelaide Fringe, award-winning jazz vocalist Millie Sarah brings her captivating and timeless style to the Adelaide Jazz Festival with a nostalgic nod to the melodies that defined an era in honour of our proud ANZAC heritage.
Swoon to the ballads and stomp to the swing with beloved classics like We’ll Meet Again, Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree, I’ll Be Seeing You, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, and more.
This evening features a very special guest: local jazz legend Marlene Richards. A professional singer since the Sixties, Marlene’s performance career has stretched across radio, TV and live performances around Australia.
Accompanied by an exceptional ensemble of Adelaide’s finest musicians, this evening promises a sublime blend of nostalgia, remembrance, and the vibrant rhythms of the swing era in honour of our ANZAC heroes.
Featuring:
- Millie Sarah – vocals
- Marlene Richards – vocals
- Jackson Mack – drums
- Trinity Canini – trumpet
- Solomon Young – piano
- Jacob Phillips – bass
Pulpland
Photo credit: Isabel Armstrong
Pulpland is a hard-hitting jazz quintet that performs original compositions inspired by the explosive and adventurous spirit of Miles Davis’ second great quintet, particularly the ‘MilesSmiles’ recordings.
Led by the accomplished vocalist and composer Chelsea Lee, this project emphasizes the importance of deep listening and communication between band members, resulting in a fiery collaboration of Adelaide’s boldest jazz musicians.
Featuring:
- Chelsea Lee – voice
- Giovanni Clemente – sax
- Dave McEvoy – piano
- Lyndon Gray – bass
- Stephen Neville – drums
King Of Spain
Listen carefully to the soul of King of Spain and what do you hear? The sultry nights of Spanish Harlem? A flash of feisty Madrid nightclub cool? The smouldering majesty of Miles Davis’ Sketches of Spain?
Drawing inspiration from jazz legends like Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock, the band combines jazz roots with modern funk and soul styling, adding neo-soul cut times and glitch beats in a musical hotpot of spark and energy that is – King Of Spain.
Featuring:
- Peter White – Vocals
- Miles Sly – Drums
- David Goodwin – Keys
- Milush Piochaud – Bass
- Max Grynchuk – Trumpet
- Aaron Deanshaw – Trombone
- Jack Degenhart – Sax
Live Slug Reaction
Live Slug Reaction is a 5-piece groove band that takes influence from anything they can get their greedy tentacles on. Ripping sounds and grooves from electronic, jazz-funk and the Australian psych-rock revival to create original contemporary compositions of moody soundscapes and danceable tracks that leave no head unbobbed and no mossy textural stone unturned.
The five Slugs have played with acclaimed local acts across genres, including Majak Door, Tell Mama, No News, Marlin Kites and Sons of Zoku. Recommended for fans of Surprise Chef, BADBADNOTGOOD and having fun.
Featuring:
- Daniel Penberthy – saxophone
- Heath Oetjen – percussion
- James Nisbet – drums
- Carl Smith – bass
- Finn Larcombe – electric guitar