The Orange Winter Jazz Festival returns for a second year this King’s Birthday Long Weekend, with a packed program of performers spanning the broad church of jazz.

Featuring Australia’s best-known jazz artists alongside leading local and emerging artists from Orange and the Central West, the three-day festival, June 9–11, will be staged across several CBD venues including the Orange Regional Conservatorium, Holy Trinity Anglican Church, the Uniting Church Hall, Lord Anson and Royal Hotel.

After a successful first outing in 2022, the not-for-profit SIMA (Sydney Improvised Music Association) and JAM Orange are excited to be back with a big winter line-up of music in Orange this June.

“It’s a weekend of blues, roots and jazz. Although the name is ‘jazz festival’ it’s a lot more broad than that,” CEO and Executive Producer at SIMA Amy Curl said.

“Harry James Angus from Cat Empire will be one of our headlining acts; many people will know him. The Necks are a hugely popular cult band in the jazz and improvised music scene – they’re huge obviously.

“Some other people who may or may not be familiar to lots of people but are incredible artists are Moussa Diakite – he’s a Malian and blues legend, and he’ll be joining us for our opening party,” Amy continued.

“And Karen Lee Andrews, of course, is such a rising star of the blues scene.”

Another highlight, she said, will be Kenyan singer Lisa Oduor-Noah who will really open people’s eyes to what jazz music can be.

“She’s a Berkeley-trained jazz singer who lived in the States for some time but she’s now based in Nairobi. She does this beautiful neo-soul act and I think she’ll be really popular for people who might not usually think jazz is for them,” Amy said.

“Jazz is more a state of mind rather than a music genre, and I think this festival will really open people's minds to what their perception of jazz might be,” she said, adding that they are really hoping to build on the success of the 2022 festival.

“We had a wonderful, exceptional response from artists and audiences, both local and out of region, and it was very clear to us in the first year that this is just such a wonderful place to do an event like this.”

The 2023 festival line-up also includes the popular Wellington-based Tin Roof Big Band and local favourites Felix Albert and the Gentlemanly Two, Matt Arthur, Pat O’Donnell, and The Cicada Club.

“We’re focused on bringing the best Australian Jazz to the festival, but to provide a platform for the best jazz, blues and roots from the central west is also a really important part,” Amy said.

And, in slight a change from last year’s arrangements, there will be tickets available to single performances, which means you don’t have to commit to a whole weekend of live music.

“But the general tickets really allow you to come and go where you like over the weekend,” Amy said.

But you can also head down to the Royal Hotel, who will again host a free ‘Live and Local’ stage featuring up-and-coming artists, local heroes and school bands.

First-release tickets are still available so get in quick before prices go up. Head to owjf.com.au for tickets and further festival information.