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● Pheeroan akLaff at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival. Photo: Marc Bongers ■ The return of the Wangaratta Festival of uitarist Peter Koopman take out first prize, winJazz and Blues drew to a close on Sunday, Oc- ning $7000 in prize money and a recording sestober 30, thrilling festivalgoers with inspired in- sion at Pughouse Studios). Joshua Meader ternational and homegrown collaborations and (NSW) was runner-up receiving $4000 and stand-alone performances from Australia’s fin- Tasmania’s Julius Schwing placed third receivest musicians. ing $2000 in prize money. Following a two-year online presence due to Other Festival highlights included premiere COVID and being on hiatus the year prior, the presentations of New York based drummer sounds of cool jazz and rousing blues filled the Pheeroan akLaff with Australian drummers city of Wangaratta and surrounding venues for Chloe Kim and Maria Mole, Finnish musician the first time since 2018. Kari Ikonnen’s collaboration with MelbourneCo-Artistic Directors Eugene Ball and Scott based bassist Helen Svoboda; Austrian based Solimo curated a rich and adventurous program Brazilian composer/ guitarist, Emiliano with audiences revelling in the return of live Sampaio collaborative iteration of his renowned performance. Mereau nonete, featuring Brazilian and GerWith more than 60 concerts featuring fear- man musicians as well as First Nations musiless improvising, festival commissions, world cian and songwriter Jess Hitchcock’s festival premieres and debut performances, more than commission. 300 musicians played to packed houses over the Traditional jazz lovers were enthralled with three-day festival. performances from Dan Barnett’s Swing Eugene Ball said: “Scott and I have been Rocket, Geoff Bull and the Finer Cuts, The overwhelmed by the generosity and enthusiasm Syncopators, Chonk, Eamon McNelis’ shown by the audience and musicians at this Skellingtons and a special celebratory tribute year's Festival. by Rebecca Barnard to her beloved father Len “Helping to bring the Festival to fruition has and Uncle Bob, both Australian jazz royalty, been a truly gratifying experience for us both, who also led Jazz Mass at Holy Trinity Cathewhich we hope to perpetuate for years to come.” dral. The prestigious National Jazz Awards saw The Festival is to return in 2023.