The Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF) returns for its 27th edition from October 18, once again transforming the city into Australia’s jazz epicentre.

The 10-day festival features more than 400 artists from 12 countries playing in 109 events across 34 venues. Over one-third of the program will be free to attend.

Party starters: TBC Brass Band. Photo supplied

Opening weekend kicks off with a New Orleans-inspired Second Line Street Party, a vibrant parade through Melbourne’s CBD led by the TBC Brass Band from New Orleans. Filled with the infectious energy of a NOLA street march, the parade ends in Federation Square, lighting the fuse on a weekend of free events in the precinct.

Jazz Icons

With a collective tally of 34 Grammy wins, 99 Grammy nominations, and one Oscar statuette, the artists performing this year are among the giants of the genre.

Saturday night will see the return of the much-anticipated Jazz at the Bowl. This year, the event is headlined by Herbie Hancock, who will be joined by bass virtuoso Marcus Miller and Australian soul star...