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The 9th Sydney International Women\u2019s Jazz Festival goes on sale today with its most diverse, comprehensive and exciting line up to date.<\/p>\n
It will feature 100 leading female artists at venues across Sydney – Bondi Pavilion, Pier One, Foundry616, Venue 505, The Newsagency, Joynton Ave Creative Centre and Studios 301, celebrating the artistry of women in jazz, uniting musicians from Brazil, Armenia, the USA, Canada and\u00a0Australia.<\/p>\n
Free and low-cost events are spread across the 15-day program. For families there will be free outdoor performances and craft activities on Saturday November 16 from 11am at the new Joynton Ave Creative Centre in Zetland. Kids will love multiple ARIA-Award winner and star of ABC TV\u2019s Playschool Justine Clarke. BYO dancing shoes and picnic rugs!<\/p>\n
Opening the festival is First Nations jazz legend Wilma Reading from Cairns, a singer whose dazzling international career boasts collaborations with legends like Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson and Ray Brown, and performances on the Johnny Carson Show.<\/p>\n
Also in the line-up, two New Yorkers – fiery saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, who shared stages with Stevie Wonder, Macy Gray and Alicia Keys, and 24 year old superstar vocalist\u00a0<\/strong>Veronica Swift, who toured with Wynton Marsalis and appeared at the Monterey and Montreal Jazz Festivals.<\/p>\n Lakecia Benjamin will also collaborate with Sydney\u2019s 10-piece women\u2019s jazz ensemble Pharos, led by bassist\u00a0Hannah James performing arrangements of Benjamin\u2019s compositions alongside works specifically composed for Pharos.<\/p>\n After the recent death of bossa-nova giant Jo\u00e3o Gilberto, fans will welcome singer\/songwriter\u00a0<\/strong>Anna Setton – a S\u00e3o Paulo native who modernises the romantic spirit of Brazilian music with a nylon string guitar and seductively airy vocals. Anna\u2019s performance will headline a day of free activities at Bondi Pavilion, on Sunday November 3 from 3.30pm, including a Latin Rhythms and Cajon workshop \u2013 no experience required! Kick on into the night in true Brazilian style with Latin DJ\u2019s courtesy of Beach Road Radio.<\/p>\n Canadian sax composer Chelsea McBride will perform her bustling, ecstatic compositions for big band alongside the Divergence Jazz Orchestra, a group conducted by the award-winning Sydney composer and bandleader Jenna Cave. For lovers of big band, Bell\u2019s Hall of Famer and national treasure Judy Bailey will lead her 17-piece Jazz Connection orchestra performing original\u00a0repertoire by the distinguished, ARIA award-winning composer and pianist.<\/p>\n