JAZZ is making a comeback across the Bayside and local stages are leading the charge.
After years of sitting quietly in the background of the region’s arts scene, the genre is finding fresh momentum through a growing lineup of community festivals and evening shows.
One of the strongest signs of that revival is the Wynnum Manly Jazz and Swing Festival, returning on Sunday, September 6 in Manly.
The free event will fill the foreshore with big band arrangements, swing classics and smooth jazz sets.
Families are encouraged to bring a picnic, enjoy local food offerings and settle in for a relaxed day by the bay.
Proudly supported by Brisbane City Council, the festival has long been a community favourite, with organisers describing it as a celebration of “live music that brings people together.”
In Australia, jazz has been quietly rebuilding momentum over the past few years, with community festivals, small venue gigs and local bands reporting stronger crowds and growing interest.
Industry groups have noted a rise in younger audiences attending live jazz events, helped by the expansion of community music programs and a renewed love for genres that emphasise connection and improvisation.
Locally, new events are helping fuel that momentum.
Jazz and Cocktails 2026, hosted by Redland City Bands, will bring Latin rhythms and classic jazz to Edgar Harley Hall, Cleveland later this year.
Featuring the Smith Street Jazz Band, the evening blends performance with a social, intimate atmosphere, a format organisers say resonates strongly with audiences seeking connection through music.
Redland City Bands now includes around 100 musicians, with two dedicated jazz ensembles contributing to the genre’s growing presence in the region.
Tickets for Jazz and Cocktails 2026 are available online through Humanitix, with early booking encouraged due to limited seating at Edgar Harley Hall.
