Festival fever is sweeping across the region with just under a week to go until the 2010 ASB Queenstown JazzFest, starting this Thursday (21 October) until Monday (25 October).
The resort’s major springtime event will showcase a stunning line up of 150 local, national and international jazz artists, all set to dazzle audiences at more than 50 free and ticketed events over Labour Weekend.
In true festival form organisers have continued to raise the bar, this year locking in nothing less than first-class acts and a series of energizing events for the enjoyment of music lovers, visitors and the community of the Queenstown Lakes.
Among the entertainment on offer is gleaming brass bands, show-stopping divas, budding Jumpstart musicians and Brazilian and Kiwi legends, while other events include Community Spotlight Stages, a Cabaret Dinner Series, nightly jam sessions and an Arrowtown ‘Day of Jazz.’
Queenstown JazzFest Trust chairman Luke Baldock said “opportunities are endless” for people to get involved and soak up the festival spirit.
“Not only does the ASB Jazz Club return by popular demand, but we’re also taking jazz to the road, to the vines, to the beer garden, to church,” he said.
“It’s all happening, the banners are up around Queenstown, ticket sales are on fire and we’re poised for a sensational five days of jazz.
“This is the jazz festival with something to appeal to everyone’s taste and budget, from cool blues to big band swing, funky R&B to Latin, and Brazilian beats to classic combos.
“The ASB Queenstown JazzFest is a major contributor to arts and culture on the Queenstown calendar and with support from community trusts and sponsors, the Queenstown JazzFest Trust has worked tirelessly to bring a top class line-up of national and international artists to southern stages at a rate that’s affordable for our local community.
“So get a group of friends together, grab your tickets and prepare to be thoroughly entertained.
The festival is hosting workshops to give aspiring musicians the chance to ‘mix it with the masters’ at Queenstown Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), either with musical duo Richard Adams and Nigel Gavin or Calder Prescott on Saturday 23, or with contemporary vocalist Caitlin Smith on Sunday 24.
More young talent can also be spotted at the NZONE Skydive Jumpstart Competition on the Village Green, where finalists will battle it out to win the title in the Youth Competition on Saturday 23 and Emerging Talent Competition on Sunday 24.
Jumpstart judge, former Trust member and longstanding jazz ambassador David Cole said the festival delivered quality music across a broad genre of jazz.
“There are many world-class acts appearing for 2010. In particular I’m looking forward to watching Bill Cunliffe, who is incredibly talented and last year received a standing ovation for his freestyle melodies,” he said.
Ticket bookings are strongly recommended with limited seating available for each act. Reservations are also recommended for those wanting to dine at the restaurant performances.
The ASB Queenstown JazzFest is Queenstown’s major springtime event. It brings music to the masses in a 5-day live music celebration from 21 to 25 October. The 32nd annual festival has a sensational line-up of more than 50 bands and 150 Kiwi and international performers.
Full details of all ticketed concerts and free gigs are available in the ASB Queenstown JazzFest programme, available at ASB branches in Queenstown and Remarkables Park. For online information on musicians go to www.asbjazzfest.co.nz.
Ticket purchase information:
Tickets are available now for all ASB Queenstown JazzFest events at Queenstown’s i-Site on the corner of Shotover and Camp Street in Queenstown and at Queenstown Events Centre at Joe O’Connell Drive, Frankton. To book tickets by phone, call TicketDirect on 03 450 9005 or 0800 4 TICKET.
