Artistic Directors welcome

On behalf of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2024 Sydney Con Jazz Festival. For our sixth instalment we are thrilled to present an incredible array of styles, artists, ground-breaking ensembles and brand-new collaborations that include some of Australia (and the worlds) finest musicians.

It has been a challenging couple of years for our creative musicians, and our Conservatorium is committed to presenting this boutique festival, the only one of its kind in Australia, to continue to provide professional performance and music creation opportunities for industry leaders and emerging artists alike. With major festivals. Australia wide, no longer being presented, I am grateful for the support of the University and its philanthropists for the continued support of this event.

The Sydney Con Jazz Festival is a collaboration between Sydney Conservatorium’s Jazz unit, the Conservatorium Open Academy and the Sydney Improvised Music Association and this dynamic team has sought to create an event where the musicians and their art is the primary focus. Our concerts are uniquely acoustic in a world where amplification and volume is increasing and with 26 concerts (and almost 140 musicians!) the Festival literally has something for everybody.

From cutting edge new commissions and international debuts to the electric sounds of our café stage, this entire event is housed in a world class venue, held on one day and offers affordable ticket options for the entire community.

Come and join us for a one-day celebration of one of the world’s most vibrant and creative artforms, Jazz.

David Theak

Festival Artistic Director & Senior Lecturer Jazz Studies, Sydney Conservatorium of Music

Festival overview

6 world class concert halls in one venue

26 concerts & events featuring almost 140 incredible musicians

our festival is staged on one day, Sunday June 2, 2024 between 12pm & 9.30pm

a range of affordable ticket options from $29 - $169

the festival offers a huge variety of artists from newly commissioned & cutting edge works to good-time swing bands

the festival has an acoustic music philosophy avoiding amplification where possible and leaving the control of the sound to those who know best…the musicians!

Festival passes are back!!

Due to popular demand, the 2024 SCJF is once again offering festival passes to our jazz loving patrons.

Click on the ‘buy tickets’ button to find out more about the festival passes and single ticketed concerts.

All shows are general admission and some high demand shows can reach venue capacity…its advisable to queue early to guarantee entry to your preferred acts however if a venue is at capacity, there will always be an alternative, high-quality act elsewhere at the festival for you to check out.

In the case of premium ticketed events (ie Gala Concert & Elixir), if you have a gold pass or a single ticket you are guaranteed entry to these events.

There is no reserved seating at the 2024 Festival except for VIP’s and press.

What will I see & hear?

The Sydney Con Jazz Festival includes 26+ concerts occurring in the 6 concert halls at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, on Sunday June 2, between 12pm & 9pm

The Festival has a broad range of concerts covering most jazz ensemble sizes and genres from Big Band to solo piano performing popular jazz classics to the new music of today, performed by established international and domestic artists as well as the artists of tomorrow and some brand-new collaborations

Browse our artists page and start deciding what you’d like to see and which pass option will suit you best

This year, for the first time, the festival will debut the ‘el Roco’ room which will be screening a selection of Australian Jazz documentaries. Additionally in 2024, we are co-presenting the 2nd annual Sydney Big Band Festival, featuring dozens of elite high school big bands in our 6th concert hall, the Joseph Post auditorium

Also free to pass holders, are performances in the Atrium (including the Con Jazz Staff Trio), and various elite student ensembles from the Sydney Con Jazz Studies Course.

How long do shows go for?

All festival concerts are 45mins except the 80min Gala Concert ( Mike Nock 20mins / Remy Le Boeuf Quartet 60mins) giving patrons time to move between shows and queue for high demand shows.

Atrium shows are varied length based on audience movements, to as to guarantee all patrons continued access to quality music during peak show times.

What is a CONVERGE concert?

The CONVERGE artists of tomorrow section of the festival presents leading student groups from the Sydney Conservatorium’s Jazz program.

Is there parking at the Conservatorium?

no. there is no public parking at the Sydney Conservatorium. See our Festival info section below for more detail about public transport options for getting to the event

Is there catering?

A range of hot and cold snacks, beverages and drinks will be available for patrons to purchase throughout the day.

Festival supporter Bird in Hand winery will be supplying a range of their delicious wines for patrons to enjoy.

Sydney micro brewery Slow Lane Brewing will be providing refreshing beers from their most recent batches.

Food will be provided by catering company Cupcakes and Canapes.

COVID Safety Information

The University of Sydney is committed to looking after the health and safety of our students, staff and visitors. As restrictions have eased and our concert venues can become very busy, please carefully reconsider attending our events if you feel unwell

All COVID policies are accurate at the time of writing and will be updated in accordance with changes to NSW Government guidelines

• Our venues are currently operating at 100% capacity. Tickets will be sold in line with current government policy. Ticketholders will be contacted in the event of any changes

• Please practice social distancing throughout the venue where possible. Avoid congregating in small spaces and follow directives from staff and signage

• Please use contactless payment methods where possible

Getting to the Sydney Conservatorium

festival date: Sunday, June 2, 2024

festival time: 12pm - 9pm

festival location: Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Macquarie Street, Sydney

Getting to the Conservatorium: The Conservatorium is located in the CBD and easily accessible by train, bus, ferry and taxi

By Train: Catch a train to Circular Quay or Martin Place and a short walk to the Conservatorium

By Bus: Catch any bus going to Circular Quay, alight there and a short walk to the Conservatorium

Parking: There is no onsite parking at the Conservatorium, however private parking stations can be found close by on Macquarie Street

Contact us

Sydney Conservatorium International Jazz Festival

Sydney Conservatorium of Music

Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW, 2001

con.openacademy@sydney.edu.au

(02) 9351 1400

Sydney Conservatorium Box Office

con.boxoffice@sydney.edu.au

(02) 9351 1222 at the following times:
Monday-Friday: 10am-1pm, 2pm-4pm*


*The Box Office phone is for enquiries only. Ticket sales are not available via the phone. The phone information service is not available on Weekends, public holidays and University shut down period

Our Team

Dean and Head of School - Professor Anna Reid

Festival Artistic Director - David Theak

Festival Co-Presenters - Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Open Academy, Sydney Improvised Music Association

Publicist - Emma Collison Publicity

Marketing - Jacqui Bonner Marketing

Graphic Design - Amanda Edwards and Slingshot Design

Production Supervision - David Kim-Boyle, Jarrad Salmon, Lee Edwards

USYD Marketing and PR Support - Lauren McCracker and Elissa Blake

Website Design & Maintenance - David Theak