57th National Jazz Festival set to bring smooth notes to Tauranga

Festival goers enjoying the sunshine at last year's festival. Photo / File

The brass is shining and the instruments are tuned for the National Jazz Festival which is set to bring the smooth notes of some of the best jazz musicians to Tauranga's streets this Easter.

Jazz gems including Hollie Smith, Secret Islands Sexet, Allana Goldsmith and Bella Kalolo will grace audiences at six venues across Tauranga during the four-day festival, running from tomorrow to Easter Sunday.

The festival will see events pop up at perhaps unexpected locations, such as Jazz at Tauranga Aiport, as well as from the regular hustle and bustle of the waterfront Downtown Tauranga Carnival.

Festival general manager Mandy Ryan said she was excited for the event-packed weekend.

Her personal must-see list included Hollie Smith - the chart-topping soul and jazz singer's performance was sure to be a "very special show."

"She's got an amazing voice and an amazing presence on stage," Ryan said.

Secret Islands Sextet, whose lead musician Jim Langabeer had been involved in the youth jazz competition since the 1960s, was also set to be a highlight, she said.

"There's a story behind each show," Ryan said.

She knew of people travelling from as far as Australia and festival-goers were invited to come in vintage and retro costume.

Tauranga mayor Greg Brownless was set to attend opening night and said he was looking forward to strolling Tauranga's downtown streets and soaking up the festival buzz.

"I think it's part of many people's calendar and they look forward to it each Easter - as I do," he said.

57th National Jazz Festival Tauranga
April 18 to 21
Go to the festival website for the full programme.