Perth International Jazz Festival (PIJF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Evans to the new role of General Manager.

Highly experienced in creating and managing music and cultural events in Perth, Los Angeles and New York. Richard has been based in New York City for the past 20 years working as the Strategic Development, Events and Media Director for one of the world’s leading contemporary art advisory firms – Kim Heirston Art Advisory, hosting numerous exhibitions and functions for artists around the world.

Richard started his career as an Entertainment Lawyer with Barron Entertainment and later worked at Clayton Utz in the ‘90s. He went on to become the co-founder and proprietor of the legendary Greenwich Jazz Club and International Players Clubs in Perth, publisher of Revelation Magazine and founder and organiser of the Indian Summer Music Festival & Conference.

After returning from New York Richard has co-founded the iconic Cottesloe Film Festival, created Manhattan Nights Jazz and Music Events, Painting Picnics, Cott Radio, Destination Cottesloe, and XO Active Activewear. He has also been involved in numerous local charities and causes such as the Be Kids Charity, Special Olympics, Black Cockatoo Crisis and Save the Old Freo Bridge Project.

On a corporate level Richard is the founding investor and advisor for PopViewers App in New York, co-founder and creative director of Running Unlimited/VO2 Media Fitness Co in the UK, and a former non-executive board member of the ASX listed Structural Monitoring Systems.

PIJF Chair Jamie Waters says Richard’s business skills, strategic thinking, and enthusiasm for jazz will make him a fantastic addition to the team as we work towards an exciting future and celebrate PIJF’s 10th anniversary in 2022.

“Richard has strong relationships with musicians, sponsors, government agencies, venues, and agents in Australia and throughout the world, and we look forward to him bringing his connections, skills and years of experience to PIJF.”

Richard says he is looking forward to working with the team at the PIJF to continue to grow the festival that Professor Graham Wood started 10 years ago.

“Working alongside the board, Artistic Director Mace Francis, and the rest of the team, we will be working to attract the world’s best jazz performers to the Perth International Jazz Festival,” Richard says.

“My role will be focused on increasing corporate and philanthropic sponsorship, industry collaborations and bringing in more Festival attendees from interstate and overseas.

“My personal goals align with the PIJF – that is, to create iconic events around Perth and Western Australia that will be talked about for years to come.”