Melbourne International Jazz Festival drops first program announcement, unveiling three international highlights for 2025 including Gregory Porter, Hiromi with PUBLIQuartet and LETTUCE.
In a special early announcement, Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF) has today unveiled three headline acts for its 2025 program: two-time GRAMMY-winning jazz vocalist Gregory Porter (USA), virtuoso pianist Hiromi (Japan) performing in collaboration with PUBLIQuartet (USA), and electrifying funk collective LETTUCE (USA).
Taking place at Hamer Hall and 170 Russell, these special festival performances are set to showcase some of the most exciting artists in contemporary jazz.
Renowned for his booming baritone and deeply heartfelt delivery, Gregory Porter has become one of the world’s most revered voices in jazz. Blending soul, gospel, and jazz influences, his music is both tender and powerful, reflecting the timeless spirit of legends like Nat King Cole. Since his breakthrough album Liquid Spirit, which sold over a million copies and won him his first GRAMMY Award, Porter has captivated audiences worldwide with his rich storytelling and commanding stage presence – he’ll take to the stage at Hamer Hall for MIJF on Friday 24 October.
GRAMMY-nominated six-piece funk powerhouse LETTUCE will bring their explosive, genre-bending sound to 170 Russell on Friday 24 October. Celebrated for their razor-sharp musicianship, infectious grooves, improvisational brilliance and high-energy live shows, the Boston-originating band effortlessly blends funk, jazz, soul, rock, psychedelia, and hip-hop into a signature sound all their own. Throughout their unstoppable career, LETTUCE have released eight studio albums, including the GRAMMY-nominated Elevate, and their latest, Unify, featuring legendary bass player Bootsy Collins.
Then, on Sunday 26 October at Hamer Hall, musical innovator Hiromi returns to MIJF after nine years with an exciting new project, Hiromi: The Piano Quintet, where she collaborates with the multi-GRAMMY-nominated PUBLIQuartet (USA), seamlessly blending jazz and classical with breathtaking precision. Hiromi’s extraordinary career has seen her collaborate with legends such as Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke, release 12 acclaimed albums, and perform at the Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony. Together, she and PUBLIQuartet push the limits of genre, crafting a high-energy live experience unlike anything else in contemporary music.
“This is just a sneak peek at what’s shaping up to be another inspiring and diverse Festival program,” says Michael Tortoni, MIJF Artistic Director. “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome the extraordinary and unique talent of Gregory Porter, Hiromi, and LETTUCE, who are set to deliver unforgettable performances at our Festival in 2025.”
With the festival once again set to take over Melbourne from 17 to 26 October, the full program will be announced in August.
Gregory Porter – Friday 24 October 2025, Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne
LETTUCE – Friday 24 October 2025, 170 Russell
Hiromi: The Piano Quintet – Sunday 26 October 2025, Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne
Subscriber Pre-sale: 11am, Thursday 3 April
General Public On-sale: 11am, Friday 4 April
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