Listen up music-lovers – it’s one month until The 61st National Port of Tauranga Jazz Festival begins, bringing hundreds of acts, performances and spectacular talent to the city!

And if you want to see the five world-class acts in the Baycourt Series, you need to secure tickets now!

“The five Baycourt Series acts are all spectacular musicians at the top-of-their game – you won’t want to miss seeing them perform here in Tauranga,” says festival organiser Marc Anderson.

“So buy tickets for these acts now – before they sell out!”

He’s talking about headline performer Australian James Morrison, American jazz guitarist Russ Spiegel, the spectacular ‘All Girl Big Band’, Tauranga jazz musician Akash Dutta, and Aotearoa soul star Louis Baker.

James Morrison will play with his quartet 8pm, Friday, March 29, at Addison Theatre.

New York-based jazz guitarist and composer Russ Spiegel plays the X Space on Saturday, March 30.

The ‘All Girl Big Band: Powerhouse of Sound’ plays Addison Theatre 8pm Thursday, March 28; while Akash Dutta’s ‘The trio Sessions’ plays the X Space 6pm Friday, March 29.

And Louis Baker plays Addison Theatre 8pm Saturday, March 30.

Marc says people should mark the Easter weekend Downtown Carnival in their diaries now too! The carnival is on Saturday, March 30, and Sunday, March 31.

“We have one of the biggest line-ups we’ve ever had for the carnival this Easter – with around 70 performances booked to play outside on three outdoor stages – on Wharf St, Red Square and Edgewater Fan – and inside bars and eateries throughout the CBD!

"This year people have the option of enjoying both alfresco jazz outside and European-style indoor jazz.

"So don’t miss it!”

Also on offer is the Katikati Street Party, Jazz Village at Historic Village, the 46th National Youth Jazz Competition, the Tea Dance, Speakeasy Supper, Hurricane Party, Jazz at the Mount, and much more!

For the full 2024 Port of Tauranga Jazz Festival programme, see: https://jazz.org.nz