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[ 13 March - 19 March 2026 ] Kiama Minnamurra Kiama Downs Jamberoo Gerringong Gerroa Shellharbour
CAN KIAMA SAVE ITS SOUND? Shoalhaven
FUTURE OF LIVE MUSIC AT RISK Olivia Funnell
T
he Sounds of Jazz & Blues took place over the weekend despite being a quieter event this year, compared to the Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival. The event was organised by Kiama Council in lieu of the annual festival being cancelled this year. Local musicians performed at various bars, cafes and restaurants throughout Kiama, Gerringong and Jamberoo. Some of the prominent local venues that helped to host the event were; Cin Cin Wine Bar, The Kiama Bowling & Recreation Club,
Saltwater Cafe, The Grand Hotel, and Burnetts. However, amidst the sounds of jazz and blues music filling the air, there were also questions about the future of the festival and also the fate of live music in Kiama. The Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival has been going in Kiama for almost 40 years, but this year, organisers were unable to hold the festival in part due to the financial risk associated with a ticketed model and red tape surrounding a key venue that would act as a central hub for the festival. Despite the trimmed
back weekend, some artists were still grateful for the opportunity to perform for locals and tourists. Musician and music teacher, Grace Mae serenaded passers by outside of the Old Fire Station on Saturday and also performed for diners at JJ’s Indian Restaurant later that evening. This was her first time participating in an event such as this and despite the changes to this year’s event, Grace said she thoroughly enjoyed herself. “Live music as a whole has been heavily impacted in today’s society across the board, in every way. The fact
that Kiama still had something happening even though it couldn’t be the whole scale I’m so grateful. I think today was the most fun I’ve had playing a gig in years!” It wasn’t just the musicians who enjoyed themselves, with locals and tourists turning out to help support the event, highlighting that live music is something that brings people together in the community. “It was so wholesome. We were sitting in the street and it made me appreciate that people still appreciate music. So I think there is a real want for live music in the community… so, I just
felt so grateful that it wasn’t the way it normally looks but there was still something and some connection with the community as well,” Grace said, after the event. Michael Bowden, owner of Cin Cin Wine Bar, was disappointed to hear that the Jazz & Blues Festival was not going ahead for 2026. “It was a bit disappointing when I got the news that it was going to be cancelled. I even said to the host of the jazz club, is there anything we can do as a community to make sure it happens? But they felt as though they’d tried everything in their power and
they couldn’t proceed with it.” Michael also reached out to mayor Cameron McDonald in an attempt to save the festival. “When the real festival got cancelled, I saw the mayor’s statement and I reached out to Cam [sic] straight away and said that this is an almost 40 year festival, we can’t just not have it,” he said. Michael proposed the idea of hosting live music all weekend at Cin Cin Wine Bar as a way of salvaging the iconic festival.
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