Free Jazz at Prahran Square

Jazz Fest takes over Prahran Square with a huge afternoon of free live music, bringing together acclaimed local and international artists for an energising celebration of jazz, soul and Afrobeat. DJ Mz Rizk 1:00PM – 1:30PM (and between live acts) MzRizk is a Melbourne-/Naarm-based DJ, broadcaster, and cultural programmer known for commanding dancefloors with genre-fluid sets that move between house, disco, hip-hop, jazz, soul, and Arabic music. Drawing from a record collection built over decades, she blends rare vinyl, global club sounds, and soul-rooted dance music into high-impact sets shaped by deep musical knowledge, rhythm, and dancefloor instincts. Melbourne Conservatorium Big Band 1:30PM – 2:30PM Kicking off the live music will be the Melbourne Conservatorium Big Band playing classics of modern big band jazz — directed by trumpet master Mat Jodrell. Owelu Dreamhouse 3:00PM – 4:15PM Owelu Dreamhouse is the collaborative project of vocalist Nkechi Anele and arranger/multi-instrumentalist Nic Ryan-Glenie. Reuniting after their years together in acclaimed soul outfit Saskwatch, the pair create a rich blend of cinematic soul, psychedelia and Afrobeat, weaving through the complexities of cultural ties, gender, and identities across generations. Mandisi Dyantyis with Afrospace Interchange 4:45PM – 6:00PM Mandisi Dyantyis is a South African vocalist, trumpeter and composer whose powerful fusion of jazz, soul and African musical traditions has captivated audiences across the globe. This Jazz Fest, the multi-award-winning musician will premiere a new collaboration with Melbourne collective Afrospace Interchange, a group dedicated to celebrating the rich tradition of South African jazz.