Clarence Jazz Festival 30

Each year, we invite a leading Australian jazz artist to join us for the entire festival – not just to perform, but to connect. They mentor emerging musicians, lead masterclasses, jam with locals, and bring a concert that’s close to their heart to our stage.

This year’s Clarence Jazz Ambassador is the incomparable Andrea Keller, one of Australia’s most respected jazz composers, pianists and collaborators.

Born in Sydney to Czech parents, Andrea began composing at the age of 10 and was already an accomplished classical musician as a teenager. Her musical world expanded when she discovered jazz and improvisation — a shift that led her to Melbourne in the 1990s to study at the Victorian College of the Arts, where she found her artistic home in creative, collaborative music-making.

Since 2000, Andrea has released 23 albums as a bandleader and performed across countless projects with some of Australia’s most significant artists and ensembles, including the Australian Art Orchestra, Black Arm Band, Vanessa Perica Orchestra, Sam Anning Septet and many more. She is also a highly sought-after composer, creating new work for diverse projects spanning contemporary music, visual art and performance.

Andrea’s contribution to Australian music has been widely recognised, including:

• Three ARIA Awards
• Multiple Australian Jazz Bell Awards
• Art Music Luminary (Victoria) Award
• HC Coombs Fellowship
• The inaugural MCA / Freedman Foundation Jazz Fellowship
• An Australia Council Fellowship
• And numerous APRA, Music Victoria and Art Music Awards

Beyond the stage, Andrea is a passionate mentor and educator. She curates Monday nights at the Jazzlab, leads the Gender Defying Jazz education program, and is Head of Jazz & Improvisation at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.

Past ambassadors have included legends Sandy Evans, Kristin Berardi, Kelly Ottaway, Dan Barnett, Michelle Nicolle, Shannon Barnett, Adrian Cunningham and Paul Williamson.

Each year, we commission an artist to inform and provide the essential visual character of the festival through the creation of a new work of art. 

This year’s Commissioned Festival Artist is Janice Ross ‘Maynard Lowery’, a Truwulway Pakana artist from Lutruwita (Tasmania), with deep family connections to Lumaranatana (Country at Cape Portland), Truwana (Cape Barren Island) and Flinders Island.

Janice’s work is shaped by saltwater and sky Country and the living songlines that connect people, place and spirit.

For Clarence Jazz Festival 2026, Janice’s commissioned artwork reflects the meeting of fresh and salt water, inspired by the waterways that run through Trumanyapayna Naniyilipata Country, the Clarence Plains and into the Eastern Shore. Created on Mumirimina Country, the work speaks to gathering, healing, truth-telling and connection, with vibrant colour and fluid movement echoing the rhythm and energy of the festival itself.

This powerful artwork forms the visual heart of the 2026 festival branding, carrying story, strength and a powerful sense of place across banners, stages and promotional material — a celebration of culture, music, gathering and respect for Country.

In September 2025, the City of Clarence was thrilled to announce the recipients of this year’s coveted Clarence Jazz Festival Scholarships.

The 2026 Clarence Jazz Festival Scholars are:

• Xander Roberts (Elizabeth College) – new to guitar after years on bass, Xander is inspired by Chet Baker, Billie Holiday, Pat Metheny, and Tommy Emmanuel. His passion for melody, improvisation, and collaboration is fast becoming a jazz obsession.

• Austin Dickinson (Hobart College) – a pianist with a love of Latin jazz and fusion, Austin draws inspiration from Chick Corea’s rhythmic flair and inventive style. He is focused on building ensemble skills and sharing music that connects with audiences.

• Emilien (Emil) Robin (Taroona High School) – at just 16, Emil is the youngest scholarship recipient in the program’s history. A dedicated pianist since age 7, he discovered jazz at 12 and is inspired by Herbie Hancock and the freedom of improvisation.

The Jazz Scholar program is our flagship development program for emerging musicians aged 15–19. Scholars receive six months of mentorship, one-on-one tuition, masterclasses, and a spot on the festival mainstage.

The scholar program has supported over 50 alumni since 2005 – and is supported by the University of Tasmania and Hobart Jazz Club through the Ian Pearce Memorial Fund.

Catch this year’s scholars at various events across the program.

Pictured from left to right: Austin Dickinson, Xander Roberts, and Emil Robin. Image credit: Richard Ho

Sincere thanks to our 2026 festival partners for their generous support and shared commitment to bringing this milestone program to life.