Generations In Jazz (often abbreviated to GIJ) is an annual weekend jazz festival held in Mount Gambier, South Australia. It is held in May and brings together many young jazz musicians from all over Australia and New Zealand.
History The Generations in Jazz Festival was first held in 1987. The festival's genesis dates from 1982 when three young musicians performed a tribute for their fathers and grandfathers. Nowadays, an estimated 5,200 young people in bands from all around Australia and New Zealand make their way to Mount Gambier. Professional musicians who have taught, performed or judged at the festival include James Morrison, Daryl Somers, Ross Irwin, James Muller, Wycliffe Gordon, Graeme Lyall, Gordon Goodwin and his Big Phat Band, Take 6, and Jeff Clayton.
The World's Largest Modular Tent
Generations in Jazz is home to The World's Largest Modular Tent. The tent is approximately 64 metres wide and 84 metres long, reaching heights of up to 25 metres; it requires a crew of up to 18 people to assemble it and can hold up to 11,000 people.
While the World's Largest Modular Tent supplies seating for the concerts and division 1 performances, there are a variety of other, smaller tents that hold performances and cater for food.
Awards and scholarships
James Morrison Jazz Scholarship The 'James Morrison Jazz Scholarship' is open to solo instrumentalists. Six finalists are judged during the Generations In Jazz weekend. The winner receives $10,000 to assist in the development of their career.
Generations in Jazz Vocal Scholarship The winner will receive $10,000 to assist in the development of their career.
City of Mt. Gambier National Big Bands The Big Band part of the festival invites secondary school big bands from around Australia and New Zealand to compete for prize money of up to $7000 (Division 1). Bands compete for prize money in one of four divisions and stand-out musicians can be rewarded with a place in their division's "Superband". Several improvising musicians in Division 1 are nominated as potential "Future Finalists" of the James Morrison Jazz Scholarship, and one is selected to win $3,500 to assist their musical education. Divisions 1 and 2 superbands and future finalists all play at the Festival Finale. Division 5 (first introduced in 2013) bands are adjudicated only, though one band is selected to win an encouragement award.
James Morrison Academy of Music The James Morrison Academy of Music (previously known as the Generations In Jazz Academy) was a Jazz Performance course run by Graeme Lyall catering to young musicians. It was run in Mount Gambier, South Australia, and offered a one-year Diploma of Music through its affiliation with the University of South Australia. The course covered aural, theory, arranging and improvisation. All students rehearsed together as a large ensemble for 90 minutes, Monday to Friday. The ensemble had the opportunity to play with James Morrison at the Generations in Jazz Festival. In 2015 the academy moved into the Old Town Hall in Mt. Gambier.
The academy had its final teaching year in 2021, since opting to operate as a 'pop-up' academy. The closure is speculated to be due to a lack of funding and public displeasure over James Morrison's support of a sexual assault perpetrator.
2020 Cancellation The 2020 Generations in Jazz competition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. In a statement released on 13 March, the board outlined their reasoning and their disappointment at having to cancel the event. "Of paramount importance to the Board is the safety and welfare of both the participants and the local community. The Board cannot offer any certainty to deliver the level of Risk management actions required to protect all involved under these current circumstances. It is a very disappointing time for all and we acknowledge the work and dedication of the students, Music Directors and auxilliary [sic] support."
The competition was also cancelled in 2021.
2023 return The competition returned in 2023 following the pandemic. Dirty Loops performed at the event.
Government-Funded Permanent Pavilions In 2025, The South Australian Government invested $720,000 to build four permanent pavilions at OB Flat, Mount Gambier. These pavilions are projected to save $100,000 annually on event costs and generate $150,000 per year from storage fees. The savings and revenue will be reinvested in the festival, boosting participation and growth. The 2025 Festival was headlined by Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band.
Results and history
2026 Source: Division1st2nd3rd1St Peter's College (SA)Marryatville High School (SA)Concordia College (SA)2.1Scotch College, Melbourne (VIC)Trinity Grammar School, Kew (VIC) Anglican Church Grammar School (QLD)2.2Eltham High School (VIC)St Peter's College (SA)Blackburn High School (VIC) 3.1Caulfield Grammar School (VIC)Nazareth Catholic College (SA)Scotch College, Melbourne (VIC)3.2Westminster School (SA)St Peter's College (SA)Mount Gravatt State High School (QLD)3.3Rostrevor College (SA))Kew High School (VIC)Temple Christian College (SA)4.1Wilderness School (SA)Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak (VIC)Cardijn College (SA)4.2Eltham High School (VIC) Adelaid Botanic High School (SA)St Martins Lutheran College (SA)4+.1Ballarat Clarendon College (VIC)Huntingtower (VIC)Unley High School (SA)4+.2St Peter's College (SA)Westernport Regional Band (VIC) St Monica's College Epping (VIC)Vocal Div 1 LargeConcordia College (SA) Wilderness School (SA) Donvale Christian College (VIC)Vocal Div 1 SmallDonvale Christian College (VIC)St Peter's Girls' School (SA)Loreto College Marryatville (SA)Vocal Div 2 LargeYarra Valley Grammar (VIC)St Aloysius College, Adelaide (SA)Walford Anglican School for Girls (SA)Vocal Div 2 Small Genazzano FCJ College (VIC)Playford International College (SA)St Andrews Christian College (VIC)Vocal Div 3.1 LargeThe Geelong College (VIC) Balwyn High School (VIC)Pembroke School (SA)Vocal Div 3.2 Large Immanuel College (SA)St Dominic's Priory College (SA)Williamstown High School (VIC)Vocal Div 3 Small Kelvin Grove state College (QLD)Yarra Valley Grammar (VIC)Penrhos College (WA)Vocal Div 4Concordia College (SA)Emmaus Christian College (SA)St Martins Lutheran College (SA)Small Jazz Combo 1 Burnside High School (NZ)Poco Music School (VIC)St Peter's College (SA)Small Jazz Combo 2 Yarra Valley Grammar (VIC)Playford International College (SA0St Peter's College (SA)Small Jazz Combo 3.1Loyola College Watsonia (VIC)Unley High School (SA) Presbyterian Ladies' College (VIC)Small Jazz Combo 3.2Genazzano FCJ College (VIC)Belgrave Heights Christian School (VIC)Caulfield Grammar School - Wheelers Hill Campus (VIC)
Individual Awards Recipient SBA Division 1 Best Rhythm Section St Peter's College, Adelaide (SA) SBA Division 1 Yamaha/Billy Hyde Most Outstanding Trumpet Player Oscar Kleinig SBA Division 1 Callisto Family Most Promising Pianist Ryan Weinert SBA Division 2 Maurice Ledoueff Most Outstanding Saxophone Section Trinity Grammar School, Kew (VIC) SBA Division 2 Callisto Family Most Promising Pianist Lingus Gnani SBA Division 4+ Nick Mulder Memorial Award Rostrevor College (SA)SBA Division 5 Spirit of Generations AwardVictory Christian School (VIC)SJC Division 3.1 Callisto Small Jazz Combo Spirit AwardFlinders Christian Community College Carrum Downs Campus (VIC)SJC Division 3.2 Callisto Small Jazz Combo Spirit AwardBelgrave Heights Christian School (VIC) VEA Division 1 Callisto Family Most Promising Vocal Improvisor Abigail HawkesVEA Division 2 Callisto Family Most Promising Vocal ImprovisorJoel JayanthanVEA Division 4 Spirit of Generations AwardYarra Valley Grammar (VIC) Music Directors Award - Vocal Stacey Theel Music Directors Award - Stage Band Deanna Whelan Vocal Jazz Scholarship Marina Olijnyk James Morrison Jazz ScholarshipJohnny Turner Future Finalist - InstrumentalIsaac WickleinIsaac KennedyNed ManifoldHugh LoipersbergerElinor HughesFuture Finalist - Winner AwardMarco Rugari
2025 Source: +Division1st2nd3rd1St Peter's College (SA)Marryatville High School (SA)Viewbank College (VIC)2.1Chatswood High School (NSW) & Anglican Church Grammar School (QLD)Rostrevor College (SA)Immanuel College (SA)2.2Concordia College (SA)Westminster School (SA)St Peter's College (SA)3.1St Peter's Girls' School (SA)Scotch College (VIC)St Andrews Christian College (VIC)3.2Westbourne Grammar School (VIC)Wilderness School (SA)Blackfriars Priory School (SA)4.1Nazareth Catholic College (SA)Wilderness School (SA)Adelaide Botanic High School (SA)4.2St Aloysius College (SA)Parade College (VIC)Eltham High School (VIC)4+Emmaus Christian College (SA)Wesley / Penrhos College (WA)Pedare Christian College (SA)5 (Spirit of Generations Award)The Essington School (NT) - -Vocal Div 1 LargeWilderness School (SA)St Peter's Girls' School (SA) Wesley College (VIC)Vocal Div 1 SmallWesley College (VIC)Donvale Christian College (VIC)Yarra Valley Grammar (VIC)Vocal Div 2 LargeBrighton Secondary School (VIC)St Aloysius College, Adelaide (SA)Immanuel College (SA)Vocal Div 2 SmallScotch College (SA)Temple Christian College (SA)St Mary's College (SA)Vocal Div 3 Small Trinity College (SA)St Leonard's College (VIC)Peninsula Grammar (VIC)Vocal Div 3.1 LargeWesley College (VIC)Loreto Mandeville Hall (VIC)Saint Ignatius' College( SA)Vocal Div 3.2 Large Trinity College (SA)St John's Grammar School (SA)Brighton Grammar School (VIC)Small Jazz Combo 1 Westminster School (SA)Rostrevor College (SA)Tenison Woods College (SA)Small Jazz Combo 2 Genazzano FCJ College (VIC)Prince Alfred College (SA)Westbourne Grammar School (VIC)Small Jazz Combo 3Concordia College (SA)Yarra Valley Grammar (VIC) Hobart College (TAS) Award Recipient SBA Division 1 Best Rhythm Section St Peter's College, Adelaide (SA) SBA Division 1 Yamaha Wayne Bergeron Most Outstanding Trumpet Player Elinor Hughes SBA Division 1 Callisto Family Best Pianist Thomas Dower SBA Division 2 Maurice Ledoueff Most Outstanding Saxophone Section Concordia College (SA) SBA Division 2 Callisto Family Best Pianist Callum Chong SBA Division 3 Best Trombone Section Wilderness School (SA) SBA Division 4+ Nick Mulder Memorial Award Blackburn High School (VIC) VEA Division 1 Callisto Family Most Promising Soloist Joey Fitzgerald Music Directors Award - Vocal Sari Noble Music Directors Award - Stage Band Phillip Reichman Vocal Jazz Scholarship Maisie Aitken James Morrison Jazz ScholarshipRhys Moore Future Finalist - InstrumentalNed ManifoldThomas DowerElinor HughesLuka FergusonFuture Finalist - VocalZoe YoungJoey Fitzgerald
2024 Source: