The American Songbook Festival

In June and July, a colourful line-up of international and local jazz, cabaret and Broadway stars perform musical standards, sparkling cabaret numbers, soulful jazz songs and touching torch songs from the Golden Age of American song as part of Melbourne Recital Centre's 2014 American Songbook Festival.

The American Songbook, like America itself, is a melting pot of traditions, cultures and histories. The American Songbook Festival celebrates the song-writing that evolved over the course of the 20th century, offering hope during the Great Depression and a welcome escape during two World Wars.

Just Announced: the 2014 American Songbook Festival line-up:

Star of Broadway and TV's Mad Men, Bryan Batt performs Batt On A Hot Tin Roof, his hilarious one-man-show of songbook styling's and wit.

French chanteuse and cabaret star Caroline Nin performs The Thing About Love, a uniquely French perspective on the Songbook tradition.

American star of stage and screen Freda Payne takes the stage in Ella: First Lady of Song, a tribute to the life and music of the iconic Ella Fitzgerald.

Australian jazz interpreter Janet Seidel performs The Songs of Peggy Lee, a tribute to the Award-winning American singer, songwriter and actress.

Award-winning sister act The Callaway Sisters present Sibling Revelry, an entertaining evening of glittering Broadway and cabaret numbers.

The all-class a cappella act with a delightfully British wit The King's Singers perform Porter, Berlin, Gershwin and more.

One of Australia's most renowned pianists and dynamic jazz improvisers, Simon Tedeschi performs Gershwin's masterful American works.

American all-rounder Amanda McBroom takes the stage with Michele Brouman for Let's Fall In Love, an evening of blues, ballads and torch songs.

British/Australian jazz vocalist Hetty Kate and her band paint a musical portrait of Songbook singers June Christy, Julie London and Peggy Lee.

Nine-time Grammy Award-winner and founder of Manhattan Transfer Janis Siegel showcases music from her first album in seven years, Night Songs.

Soprano Jessica Aszodi and pianist Peter de Jager reunite for The Songbook Continues, a showcase of young American composers rewriting the tradition.

Cabaret artist Nichaud Fitzgibbon presents Do You Know What Love Is?, an evening of glamorous music by Coleman, Bacharach, Porter, Cohen and more.