Generations in Jazz is back in full swing this year, returning to its big top format for the first time since 2019.

The major event will take to the stage next Friday and Saturday and Generations in Jazz chairman Tony Wright said it will be fantastic to hold the event in its full form again.

“We are excited with all the volunteers to be offering this fantastic event to the community,” Mr Wright said.

“This event will see 48,500 students who have been through the Generations experience and so next year when we run it, we will be up to 50,000.

“It is almost like a rite of passage for schools to come here, students will start their music journey within their schools with Generations in Jazz at OB Flat as the pinnacle of that journey.

“We know there were a lot of students who were devastated during COVID when they could not do that, so there is real excitement from the school community to be coming back.”

Mr Wright said 3500 students and teachers would attend the event and at least an additional 1000 people were expected for the Saturday night concert.

“We are looking at around 4500 to 5000 people, in 2019 it was up around 6500, so this will not be the biggest event we have run but it will certainly be in the top three,” he said.

There will be lots of excitement and activity throughout both days, with many brilliant school bands playing across multiple stages.

On Friday night will be Jordan Murray and the GiJ Big Band, talented Australian blues singer Thndo and Adam Lopez, who holds the world record for the highest vocal note by a male singer.

Backing them will be a blend of professional musicians and school music directors who are at a professional standard.

“We think that is going to be really exciting for the students to see their music directors, who are professional standard musicians, playing in that environment,” Mr Wright said.

On Saturday night, international jazz/fusion sensation Dirty Loops will be in the spotlight, who are breaking their European tour to play an exclusive Australian show at the event.

“They have got sold-out concerts in Copenhagen and are coming here to perform, they are not going to Sydney, they are not going to Melbourne, they are coming here for the Generations experience and then going back into Europe to finish their tour,” Mr Wright said.

“This is an exclusive, unique experience to see one of the most outstanding jazz-pop fusion bands in the world.”

Mr Wright said the event would turn over around $2m and generate approximately $4m of economic activity.

“That is a $4m windfall for our community from a two-day event and it is run off the back of volunteers as well, people who love the event, love our community, love to be part of it, we are all just excited to be part of it,” he said.

Volunteers work extremely hard to make the event happen and Mr Wright said they were still seeking volunteers, who also receive a free ticket to the concert.

Accomplished trombonist Jordan Murray took over the role of Music Director after James Morrison stepped down from the role last year.

“We have been so lucky to have Jordan Murray step into that role, one of Australia’s leading trombone players, currently playing with The Cat Empire, he has worked in academia in music and has given us fantastic direction and guidance in how we set the program up,” Mr Wright said.

The 2023 James Morrison and GIJ Vocal Scholarship finalists will appear at two concerts during Generations in Jazz and their performances will be judged as part of the adjudication process.

The James Morrison Instrumental Scholarship finalists are tenor Saxophonist Oscar Bruten from Melbourne, drummer Jackson Mack from Adelaide, trombonist Rhys Moore from Sydney, guitarist Monty Price from Melbourne, trombonist Christopher Rozakeas from Melbourne and pianist Oliver Smith from Sydney.

The GIJ Vocal Scholarship finalists include Ruby Glynn from Melbourne, Grace Mensforth from Adelaide, Izzy Norman from Sydney, Meg Pearson from Melbourne, Margot Petrie from Melbourne and Sarah Vandenberg from Sydney.

Visit generationsinjazz.com.au to purchase tickets or register to volunteer.