Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF) is thrilled to announce its 2024 Take Note program leader, with distinguished improvising flutist, composer and producer Erica Tucceri set to take the helm. Now in its sixth consecutive year, Take Note addresses the underrepresentation of women and gender diverse musicians in jazz by celebrating them on stage and in high schools across Victoria.
Sitting at the cutting edge of Melbourne/Naarm’s music scene, Erica Tucceri’s impressive output encompasses work as a band leader, composer, improviser and prolific collaborator, having played an integral role on numerous celebrated local releases including ZFEX, Don Glori, Surprise Chef, WVR BVBY and more. She has garnered worldwide airplay and praise from the likes of Gilles Peterson and Motor City Drum Ensemble, alongside performances at festivals such as Golden Plains, Strawberry Fields, Ubud Village Jazz Festival (Indonesia), Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues, and MIJF.
On top of this, Erica is a Banff International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music alumni, curated by GRAMMY-nominated artist Vijay Iyer, and a graduate of both the Jazz and Classical Bachelor degrees from the Victorian College of the Arts.
“I am so honoured to be named the next Take Note leader. This award presents an incredible opportunity for career development and cross-generational mentorship, both for me, and as a contribution towards the next generation of musicians,” says Erica of her new role.
“I have been very lucky to work as a collaborator with many fabulous artists. As I step into the next phase of my career as a solo artist, this award will enable me to write, develop, rehearse and present my first large-scale work under my own name. Joining the Take Note ranks, I am excited to be following in the footsteps of some of my most talented peers and hope to keep building on this powerful initiative to help cultivate a supportive and inclusive music community into the future.”
“We are incredibly excited to announce Erica Tucceri as our Take Note program leader for 2024. Erica is a genuine force in the Melbourne music scene and her contributions across so many excellent projects at home and abroad are extraordinary,” says CEO and Program Director of Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Hadley Agrez. “I look forward to seeing Erica performing her new work at our festival in October and furthering her artistic development as an ensemble leader through this initiative, which will also see her inspire the next generation of aspiring musicians through workshops in high schools across the state.” As 2024 Take Note leader, Erica will receive a $5,000 cash bursary to support the development of a new work to premiere at the 2024 Melbourne International Jazz Festival, as well as a professional development package. She will also undertake a dedicated Victorian high school tour, leading improvisation workshops and inspiring the next generation of Australian jazz.
Find out more about the Take Note program here.
The Take Note initiative is supported by The Harry Kestin Foundation, The Robert Salzer Foundation, The Angior Family Foundation, Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (University of Melbourne), Monash University and ABC Jazz.
Melbourne International Jazz Festival wishes to acknowledge the generous support provided by the late Harry Kestin, who was instrumental in conceiving this program in 2019 and beyond.
