Wangaratta Jazz & Blues is regarded as Australia’s premier jazz and blues event, and invitations to perform at the Festival are not easily achieved. Each year, many more artists want to perform at the Festival than can possibly be included in the program. This applies to both Australian and international performers.

Performers for both the jazz and blues programs are selected by the Festival’s Artistic Director. Selection is based on artistic excellence, and stylistic balance within the context of each year’s program.

Some artists are approached by the festival; some via an intermediary (eg an agent or promoter organising a national tour); others are booked in response to an approach they make to the festival.

Assessment of artists is an ongoing process, although the majority of the program is negotiated and booked between February and May each year.

There is no formal application process and deadline. Any band or artist can send material including a current recording, biography and media reports for consideration to artists@wangarattajazz.com or PO Box 860, Wangaratta, Victoria 3676, Australia.

Note that, if you are sending a proposal for a specific band or project, your proposal should include : full band personnel and instrumentation; travel and accommodation requirements; any unusual stage gear requirements (e.g if you need a specific keyboard to be provided by the festival); fee request; whether the band (or any members) are available for only some dates of the festival); and any other information that might be relevant (e.g if a new CD will be released locally around that time).

In cases where bands know or expect they can secure a grant to cover some or all of their travel costs (eg a grant from a national funding body ; or for Australian artists, perhaps part of a Playing Australia grant), please note that this will not in itself guarantee inclusion in the program. You should contact the artistic director to discuss this proposal, and advise : which costs would be covered by the grant ; when the result of the grant application will be known ; and whether an email or letter from the festival expressing support for this proposal is sought.

Owing to the volume of enquiries received, it is not possible to return material submitted, or to enter into correspondence regarding decisions on which bands are invited to perform, or to provide feedback on CDs submitted for consideration.
Between December and February is the best period to provide submissions/suggestions for the following year’s Festival.