The biggest youth competition in history – and a stream of smaller events sprinkled around Tauranga City – will be packed into The Port of Tauranga 60th National Jazz Festival this April.
These are the events you may not have heard about – but are not to be missed!
The festival begins differently this year – with a Street Party in Katikati from 11am-2pm tomorrow, April 1. The free family day offers soulful sounds, food, market stalls and kids entertainment. So get along!
From April 1-5, the 16th Ave Theatre presents ‘Unforgettable – The Nat King Cole Story' thanks to long-time music educator Murray Mason teaming up with Tauranga director Merv Beets. In a warm and intimate narrated concert you'll be transported to a 1960s American Jazz Club, with a programme of Nat King Cole's most famous songs stylistically spanning six decades, delivered by Michelle Coombe, Matilda Vahey-Bourne, Anna Sherrer and Barry Spedding. Book tickets at: 16thavetheatre.flicket.co.nz
National youth competition
This year, the Wright Family Foundation 45th National Youth Jazz Competition is on Tuesday, April 4-Thursday, April 6 from 9am-5pm at Baycourt. Manager Liam Ryan says this competition will be the biggest yet, with more than 550 students from 30-plus secondary schools competing. 'This year we've got more than 40 Combos, and more than 20 Big Bands – so it's huge.
'We have a new sponsor – the Wright Family Foundation – and a new youth jazz event further downtown. To think six years ago we had 200 students in the comp – so it's going from strength-to-strength – it's become the Aims Games of Jazz!”
The competition will utilise two theaters full-time for three days – and the music that will swirls out of them will not only be traditional jazz.
Liam says jazz has become hip in the high school curriculum, with Kiwi students looking to young jazz players like Snarky Puppy and Cory Wong in the US and Europe who play the genre – but sound-infused with funk, hip hop, soul and that's coming through in the repertoire. 'All of those flavours are coming through in the modern jazz repertoire; and when you see the kids perform you really hear that sound of genres crossing over and fusing – it's very exciting.”
Jazz Café & VIP Bar
To extend youth performances is a new Superstar Jam at the Wharf St stage in Tauranga City, from 5pm on Tuesday, April 4 and Wednesday, April 5 – by students. Or how about relax with a jam session at the Jazz Café & VIP Bar, at Picnicka in Elizabeth Towers from 9pm-12am April 7, 8 & 9. With a house band and guest musicians, the music-lovers' treat has limited entry – so book now!
Scenic jazz cruise
A scenic jazz cruise on the historic Kewpie 4.30pm-6pm on April 8-9 lets passengers indulge in fine wines and beers and onboard jazz as the sun goes down and the city lights up. Book the unique experience at: jazz.org.nz
On Sunday, April 9 is a tea dance where guests can dance and dine with The Tauranga Big Band at Tauranga Citizens Club from 5.30pm. Find out more and book tickets at jazz.org.nz
A Wellington group having fun performing at a past National Youth Jazz Competition.