Jazz fans will be treated to six days of music and excitement in April, as the Bay comes alive for the National Jazz Festival Tauranga and the National Youth Jazz Competition.

The festival - the longest running of its type in the Southern Hemisphere - returns to the city for its 57th year, delivering live music from a star-studded line-up of local and international musicians.

General manager Mandy Ryan says festival fever is building already, with concert tickets selling well.

'The Tauranga Jazz Society is thrilled to be showcasing more jazz concerts than ever,” says Mandy.

'We have something for every musical taste, from popular jazz, rhythm and blues and soul performers like Hollie Smith and Bella Kalolo, to a jazz/classical crossover with New York saxophonist Dick Oatts, performing standards from ‘Charlie Parker with Strings' with the New Zealand String Quartet.

There's also boogie-woogie mayhem from Duelling Pianos, classic Big Band music from the Queen City Big Band, and special jazz masters concerts in the café-style X Space Jazz Club, featuring New Zealand's own virtuoso musicians.

'Not to mention Dixieland jazz on the Sunset Jazz Cruise and a delightful Jazz High Tea at Hotel Armitage.”

If you're a TECT card holder, make sure you take advantage of the early bird rate for tickets purchased before February 22.

'Thanks to our major funders, Tauranga City Council, TECT and other trusts and business sponsors, we are able to deliver this legacy event,” adds Mandy.

'The National Jazz Festival has been part of the fabric of Tauranga for 57 years and is something worth celebrating.”

For more information, visit: www.jazz.org.nz

Book your tickets online at Ticketek, or in person at Baycourt Community and Arts Centre Box Office.