Melbourne International Jazz Festival has unveiled the first wave of artists set to perform as part of its 2026 program, offering an early look at what’s shaping up to be another expansive celebration of jazz and improvised music across the city from 16 to 25 October.
Leading the announcement is legendary vocalist and three-time GRAMMY Award winner Dee Dee Bridgewater, who returns to Melbourne for the first time in a decade. Bridgewater will perform an intimate duet show alongside acclaimed pianist and composer Helen Sung at Hamer Hall on 24 October. The performance promises a journey through jazz standards and contemporary classics, drawing from the Great American Songbook as well as works by Duke Ellington, Stephen Sondheim, Michel Legrand and Paul Simon.
Also returning to the festival is Armenian pianist and composer Tigran Hamasyan, bringing his latest release Manifeste to Melbourne Recital Centre on 23 October. Widely regarded as one of the most inventive pianists working today, Hamasyan has built an international following through his fusion of jazz improvisation, progressive rock and Armenian folk traditions.
Elsewhere on the lineup, influential jazz outfit The Bad Plus will make their final Australian appearance as part of a worldwide farewell tour. The pioneering group, known for pushing the boundaries of modern jazz over the past two decades, will perform at Melbourne Recital Centre on 21 October.
Brooklyn-born poet, vocalist and activist aja monet will make her Melbourne debut at Max Watt’s on 22 October, performing music from her acclaimed album the color of rain. The first announcement also includes a four-show residency from GRAMMY-winning pianist and composer Kris Davis, who will perform with bassist Robert Hurst and drummer Johnathan Blake at The Jazz Lab across 19 and 20 October.
With more artists still to be announced, MIJF 2026 is already shaping into one of the city’s standout music events of the year. Tickets on sale via melbournejazz.com: 11am, Thursday 21 May.
