A North East jazz tradition will take a seven-day digital approach in 2020 as organisers encourage support for musicians disrupted by this year's COVID-19 restrictions.
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Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues, October 26 to November 1, has announced its 2020 program, with tickets to go on sale from 9am on Wednesday, September 30.
Artistic directors Eugene Ball, Zoe Hauptmann and Scott Solimo have compiled a schedule featuring Australian jazz and blues artists, new commissions and collaborations, never before seen archival footage, an exclusive international appearance and the National Jazz Awards.
Ball said presenting the 30th edition entirely online reflected Victoria's evolving coronavirus situation, with Melbourne musicians still unable to travel.
"It's been quite a rollercoaster, but we're really happy with where we've landed," he said.
The 10 National Jazz Award finalists will be heard across the week, with each entry recorded in the competitor's home state and presented with piano accompaniment.
Ball described the award as the festival's "jewel in the crown".
"The kind of kudos and attention that you get from something like that can really help propel a career to its next level," he said.
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Other highlights include unseen performances from the 2016 Allan Browne Memorial Concert and the 1986 Australian Jazz Convention.
Dutch saxophonist Kika Sprangers will make her Australian debut and several works will be premiered.
Hauptmann said while the festival "differs wildly" from the event envisaged last year, the directors were proud to have brought together such a diverse program.
"We hope that there is something in it for every listener; lovers of contemporary jazz, blues and traditional jazz," she said.
Ball encouraged people to buy a festival pass for $79 - "similar to one gig these days with a couple of drinks and maybe an uber home" - to assist a live music industry shut down by the pandemic.
"You can really support a whole community of musicians and arts workers for whom their entire careers, certainly for this year, have been absolutely decimated," he said.
Details and bookings at wangarattajazz.com, $15 day pass, $79 access to all events.