Hot August Jazz

A thriving partnership between the Hobart Jazz Club, the Rotary Club of North Hobart and the City of Hobart helps keep the Hot August Jazz Festival swinging, supporting its growth as a much-loved community celebration of music, talent and togetherness.

The wonderful Hot August Jazz Festival, a vibrant and much-loved celebration, has been putting North Hobart on the map for 20 years.

Organised by the dedicated Hobart Jazz Club, the festival transforms the Elizabeth Street strip in North Hobart into a pulsating hub of musical activity on the last Sunday in August each year. More than 250 musicians, from seasoned professionals and community groups to up-and-coming school bands, showcase the depth of Tasmanian talent. Across 10 venues, all within easy walking distance, audiences can immerse themselves in a diverse spectrum of jazz genres – from classic Dixieland and mainstream swing to contemporary blues, funk and modern improvisations – with more than 400 performances held from midday to midnight.

The Hot August Jazz Festival is renowned for its inclusive and accessible nature, offering free entry to all. This commitment to community brings patrons in big numbers and makes it a vital platform for young musicians to gain performance experience, while also allowing seasoned artists to connect with their peers and a passionate audience.

While the Rotary Club of North Hobart, Tas, was not involved with the early development of the festival, a mutual appreciation between the club, Hot August Jazz and the City of Hobart quickly grew into an ongoing partnership.

Financially, the specific role of the Rotary Club of North Hobart is to fund the installation of the advertising flags along the street, which is carried out by council.

This is a significant cost each year, which the Jazz Club acknowledges by including the club’s Rotary logo on all printed materials and street signage.

Members also manage the front of house greetings and donation collections at one of the key venues. While this seems a small contribution to the day, the club has received feedback from Hot August Jazz about how encouraging it is to their committee to be able to rely on the Rotary team to share the organisation load on the day and solve any issues in-house.

It is a great day for fellowship and a short duty – perfect for volunteers who can tolerate the fresh air from the open doors and who love to hear the music.

The Hot August Jazz Festival fosters a unique atmosphere where the love of jazz truly unifies the community. It’s a day-long celebration of the rhythm of life and the enduring freedom and creativity of music, drawing locals and visitors alike to enjoy the warmth of hot jazz in the cool air of Hobart. Thanks to the Hobart Jazz Club for welcoming Rotary to the party.