Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA) has announced the 2023 lineup for the Sydney International Womens’ Jazz Festival.

This year’s festival, spanning 25 October to 5 November, sprawls across the city and gathers international and Australian women trailblazing in the fields of soul, jazz, alt-pop, and improvised music. This is the festival’s 12th year from an organisation whose leadership in performance and artistic development was recognised this week with a state Luminary Award in the 2023 Art Music Awards.

Cécile McLorin Salvant. Photo supplied

“This festival is a testament to the power of women in shaping the world of music,” said Artistic Director Zoe Hauptmann. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to present the future of Australian jazz to Sydney. It’s never background music with SIMA!”

On 31 October, City Recital Hall hosts this year’s headliner, the Grammy-winning American jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant, who performs with a quartet comprising pianist Sullivan Fortner, bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Kyle Pool, following her headline appearance in the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

Freedman Jazz Fellowship winner and Musica Viva Australia...