Perspectives on the Melbourne International Women’s Jazz Festival

Abstract

This paper examines the significance of the Melbourne Women’s International Jazz Festival as a long-established annual event highlighting the contributions of women jazz musicians to Australian music culture. Nine women were interviewed about their experiences with MWIJF as performers, composers and/or organizers, as were the founder of the festival and current CEO. The importance of the festival to the participating artists’ creative and career development and its role in supporting emerging women artists are revealed through their comments. The festival is contextualized with reference to the historical experiences of women jazz musicians both in Australia and internationally.