History

“The first two or three Festivals were run on the smell of an oily rag, and a lot of enthusiasm.” Ted Woollan. President 2014/15

From 2012 onwards the idea of holding a Jazz Festival in Central Victoria circulated amongst local and Melbourne musicians. With the support of Mt Alexander Shire, Maldon was put forward as a suitable destination, but an event in Maldon failed to attract sufficient interest. Castlemaine was then suggested by the organisers of the local jazz jam, (recently celebrating its 10th anniversary), John Hannah and Ken Turnbull. Joining with Melbourne Jazz Jammers Ted Woollan and Colin Garrett, a committee was formed to organise the first Castlemaine Jazz festival in 2014. It was decided, with the backing of the Shire Council, to present it over the Queen’s birthday in June as a winter festival to promote tourism in the town.

The 2014 Castlemaine Jazz Festival offered jazz in eight venues, including the “Jazz Train” with steam engine running from Castlemaine to Maldon and back again. These were: the Cumberland Hotel, Run Rabbit Run restaurant, the Bridge, the Public Inn, the New Northern Hotel (now the Northern Arts), Lot 19, and the Comma Hotel. The Five Flags in Campbell’s Creek was added for several festivals. Due to closures and private acquisition, these have changed over the years. More recent venues: the Theatre Royal, the Phee Broadway Theatre, Boomtown Winery at the Mill, the Town Hall and the Bowls Club. The Coolroom at the Northern Arts Hotel is also a venue for 2023.

There were 58 bands of various jazz genres at the first Festival, including the Ade Ishs Trio, The Ruby Rogers Experience, and local bands Vida Jazz and Moodswing (This had increased to 104 in 2016.) The jam sessions at the Comma (2014) and the Cumberland (2015) after the programmed bands ran late into the night, and were well attended both by audience and musicians. Feedback from audiences was positive, and so the decision was made to continue running the festivals annually.

The makeup of the committee and presidency has changed over the years due to personal and other reasons. 2017 saw Linda Carpenter as President. From 2018 to 2022 Calum McClure was at the helm of the Castlemaine Jazz Festival committee, run by volunteers with the support of sponsors. Because of the intervention of Covid in years 2020/2021 (although a public outdoor concert was held in November 2021 to promote interest) this is the ninth CJF since its beginnings in 2014.

And it looks like being a cracker!