About Us
The KJBF started with a South African jazz enthusiast & creative arts teacher, Dennis Cox, who held a teaching position at Kiama High School. He formed a Jazz Club with other friends and they started hosting gigs
This evolved over time to being the Kiama Jazz Festival & eventually to the Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival - now clocking up 38 years.
Community
The KJBF is and always has been volunteer run and relies on support in the form of funding, sponsorship, generosity, creativity & community.
It is built from love & is cherished by all. It is a signature Kiama event that is generous in its belief in the live music experience & shines a spotlight on the musicians, the ever evolving genres of music that refuse to sit down & our beautiful cohesive township & it's location.
For the LOVE of MUSIC
All our musicians are selected from an application process & paid properly - we totally love what they bring to the Festival.
Our local businesses are showcased & become our venues. They contribute to have their musicians & you, in turn, gratefully & lavishly buy food, drinks, and generally appreciate their efforts.
Inclusion & Accessibility
Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival is committed to inclusion. In 2025, we have engaged a local Inclusion Project Officer to map the accessibility of our venues. This allows festival-goers with mobility needs to choose a gig that works for them.
You’ll find the info on our Venues Page, but if you have further questions, contact the venue ahead of time. Accessible parking and toilets to plan your festival can be found on Kiama Council’s Mobility Map here.
Volunteer
This Festival requires a lot of love, time, commitment and value to create & share - it is almost its own entity and we welcome you to be part of the fun.
If you would like to be part of the team, have a comment or want to know how you can be a partner of this beautiful organism please contact us :)