Brisbane Vocal Jazz Festival 8th – 12th October 2025
The jazz voice is a powerful instrument
The voice is a primal force, the original instrument. There’s nowhere in Australia that celebrates it like this festival does. The success of this festival promotes the jazz club as an unmissable tourist destination and a key venue local and for touring artists.
Brisbane Vocal Jazz Festival 2025 – 10th Anniversary Celebration
Wednesday 8 – Sunday 12 October 2025
2025 marks a major milestone for the Brisbane Vocal Jazz Festival as we celebrate our 10th Anniversary with an all-Australian lineup of extraordinary talent from across the country.
Headlining the festival is Luke Thompson (The Idea of North, Adelaide), whose rich, warm vocals and saxophone will captivate audiences in his stunning presentation of the life and music ofChet Baker – The Chet Baker Songbook. Joining Luke will be the masterful Steve Russell Trio.
From Sydney, we welcome the dynamic vocal ensemble – TRIPPPLE TROUBLE – featuring the incomparable Dan Barnett, the charismatic George Washingmachine, and the soulful Lauren Dawes – bringing swing, sass, and sensational harmony to the stage, along with some first rate local musicians, Paul Henderson on guitar and Samuel Vincent on bass. This dynamic trio of voices will also run a Jazz Singers’ “Toolkit” Workshop on Saturday from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.
Gold record-selling recording artist and runner up on the 1st season of The Voice, now living in Queensland, MR PERCIVAL plus special guest, returns to his roots with Back in the Loop, the original show that made him a household name. Expect a reinvented, exciting, vibrant, interactive performance that invites the audience to sing, groove, and be part of the magic. “Darren Percival is art for the ears” – Ken Done.
In a Brisbane debut not to be missed, Lauren Dawes and her band will bring her deeply moving tribute For Eva: An Eva Cassidy Story– a show she has lovingly crafted for over a decade. More than just a tribute, it’s an intimate journey through Eva’s life and music.
To close the festival, the beloved Kings and Queens of Jazz showcase returns, featuring an all-star cast of 6 outstanding local vocalists, (Asabi Goodman – Ella Fitzgerald; Yani Mills – Maria Maldaur; Ruby Mills – Dinah Washington; Peter Uppman – Mel Torme; Larry Thomson – Tony Bennett and Stu Fisher – Sammy Davis Jnr), plus the John Reeves Trio, in a celebration of the music and community that has defined the Brisbane Vocal Jazz Festival for a decade.
Under the passionate direction of Artistic Director, Ingrid James and her dedicated team, BVJF2025 promises a program brimming with love, artistry, and the vibrant spirit of Australia’s vocal jazz scene – all set on the beautiful banks of the Brisbane River at the iconic Brisbane Jazz Club.
Join us for this landmark celebration – a festival 10 years in the making!
The program
In early August each year, this festival hosts:
- Top quality national and international artists performing alongside local talent at Brisbane Jazz Club.
- Four to five days of performances that showcase unique voices and techniques.
Who is the festival for?
If you love a capella music or you’re a budding jazz singer, you’ll love the skills featured in this festival. Or if you simply enjoy listening to powerful vocal folds or voice acrobatics, this is not one to miss.
Why there’s a vocal jazz festival
Jazz Singers’ Jazz Night at the club grew from strength to strength, becoming something of a legacy over 20 years. Its popularity demanded a more visible platform with a wider audience. Launched in 2016, The Brisbane Vocal Jazz Festival was the obvious next step. Artistic director Ingrid James initiated it with a team of jazz-loving volunteers. In 2024, this festival celebrates its 9th anniversary. The Brisbane Vocal Jazz Festival’s acclaim reaches beyond the jazz community to both mainstream and specialist audiences and celebrates diversity!