General News
30 January, 2026
Jazz festival next month
JAZZ lovers of all ages will be in for a musical treat at next month’s Port Fairy Jazz Festival.
The hard-working committee has spent the last year preparing to host the event on the second weekend in February.
Acquiring the necessary 10 suitable venues has proven challenging this year, and volunteers have also spent countless hours programming more than 130 bands to each play twice over the weekend.
But their commitment will no doubt pay off over the weekend of Friday, February 13 – Sunday, February 15, when the town fills with the sounds of more than 500 musicians.
It is hoped the event will be well supported by locals and visitors to the town.
This year’s event has attracted performers from as far afield as Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and many places in between.
In just a few short years the Port Fairy Jazz Festival has gained a reputation among musicians as being ‘the’ place to play and hear music from the full range of styles.
Audiences will be treated to everything from traditional New Orleans groups (such as Shirazz and Hot B’Hines) and swing bands large and small (Corner Pocket and Big Swing) through to groups led by excellent vocalists including Sarah MacLaine, Pippa Wilson, Anita Harris and Jennifer Salisbury.
Fusion groups (Munkus Funkus) and eclectic bands who mix their styles (Rory and Roger Clark, Vida Jazz and Todd Sidney Trio) will also be on the program.
Another feature of this year’s festival will be the free stage at Fiddler’s Green, and the awarding of the John Huf Award which encourages young performers to become involved in jazz.
The award will be presented in the Lecture Hall on the Sunday afternoon.
For tickets to this year’s festival simply head to the Port Fairy Jazz Festival website or purchase from the office (located in the hall at St John’s Church) during the weekend.
