Jazz gets the blues

EMMA PASK: The Australian jazz singer will perform at the 19th Woollaston Jazz and Blues Nelson Festival in January.

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Entering its 19th year, the Woollaston Jazz and Blues Nelson Festival will draw thousands next January, Alice Cowdrey writes.

The menu of jazz and blues to be served up over the coming summer has been revealed, with last night's announcement of the Woollaston Jazz and Blues Nelson Festival lineup.

A crowd of about 200 sponsors, supporters and festival fans celebrated the launch at the Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco Resort and are now eagerly anticipating the return of favourites including violinist Fiona Pears, Wellington trio Hot Club Sandwich and upbeat Tauranga band Brilleaux.

A diverse bunch of new groups will be heading this way, including international performers from Britain, Australia and the United States.

Featuring more than 60 free and ticketed events and 100 performers, the eight-day festival is expected to draw about 25,000 spectators, says festival organiser Rowena Richards.

The festival, which starts on January 2, will follow a timetable similar to that of past years, with music in Nelson streets, public parks, restaurants and cafes, at Woollaston Estates and at the Nelson School of Music.

However, there are some changes, with the festival being three days longer this year and organisers including the "blues" in its official title. The string of events will cater for families as well as true jazz and blues purists.

The festival receives more than $120,000 in sponsorship and grants to cover travel and accommodation costs for musicians. Funding shortfalls this year led organisers to seek extra help from the Nelson City Council, which has granted $20,000.

Helping to further reduce the shortfall will be a $10 charge for the Port Nelson Jazz and Blues in the Park event at Nelson's Fairfield Park. The gig, which drew about 6000 people last year, will have a full lineup of acts – Zamba Flam, the Mike Garner Band, Impressions, Fiona Pears, Billy TK and guests as well as Brilleaux. The three other Port Nelson Jazz and Blues in the Park events will be held at Washbourn Gardens, the Tahuna Beach Holiday Park and Takaka's Village Green.

FEATURED ARTISTS

• Virtuoso violinist and festival regular Fiona Pears will return for the Woollaston Jazz and Blues Nelson Festival.  Along with her band, the exuberant violin player incorporates celtic, classical, gypsy, tango and jazz styles.

• Australian jazz singer Emma Pask, whose classical-style jazz is reminiscent of the swing era, will play at the festival for the first time. Pask performed the bridal waltz at Australian celebrity couple Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's 2006 wedding, but is best known for her work with big bands.

• Also coming from Australia is 18-year-old guitar virtuoso Joe Robinson, the winner of the 2008 Australia's Got Talent competition.

• Making her New Zealand debut will be San Francisco soul-blues mama Edna Love.

• Love will be joined by guitarist and singer Robbie McGregor Soper, also from San Francisco, and jazz and blues singer Diana Harris. The three will play in an eight-piece called the Blues Party.

• Kiwi musicians  include rock guitarist Billy TK Junior, Eric Clapton tribute band The Winch Brothers, Kiwi collective Torch Songs and acoustic blues musician Mike Garner

Programmes are available from various Nelson retail outlets and at nelsonjazzfest.co.nz. Tickets for the seven concerts are available at Nelson Escapes and iticket.co.nz. For more information, contact Rowena Richards: rowena.orange@xtra.co.nz or 035477211.

- © Fairfax NZ News