The Festival takes place in concert halls, arts venues, jazz clubs and throughout the streets of Melbourne.

[6] The new direction was considered "a new beginning" by organisers,[7] with the 1998 festival advertised as the inaugural Melbourne International Jazz Featival.

[8] The festival continued until 2002, when it was cancelled only weeks before the program was due for announcement, after City of Melbourne withdrew funding.

[19] Artists have included international musicians Herbie Hancock,[20] Marcus Miller,[20] Chaka Khan,[21] and Lalah Hathaway.

[22] Local acts have included Sam Anning,[21] Emma Donovan and The Putbacks,[23] Mike Nock,[23] Kate Ceberano,[24] and Flora Carbo.