National Jazz Festival under way in Tauranga for Easter weekend

Tauranga City councillor Leanne Brown, front left, with organisers of the National Jazz Festival and National Youth Jazz Competition (L-R) Craig Wilson, Amanda Ryan, Liam Ryan. Photo/Andrew Warner

The 56th National Jazz Festival in Tauranga has begun.

Tauranga City councillor Leanne Brown opened the festival on behalf of Mayor Greg Brownless at Baycourt Community and Arts Centre this afternoon.

Brown said the festival, which will finish on Easter Monday, was a flagship event and a huge part of the city's history.

"There has been an even greater awareness of the festival this year and having three events already sold out is evidence of this," she said.

The festival is the longest running of its type in the Southern Hemisphere. This year 250 musicians, including local and international stars, will perform across six days of events, including a carnival and Hurricane Party.

Festival director Craig Wilson said selling out three shows in advance was "unprecedented" in the history of the event.

The sold-out shows are Australia's Shirazz, Tauranga's Caitriona Fallon and Wellington's High Society.

"It shows that these musicians are extremely popular, and it confirms that our intimate Baycourt concerts will be packed."

Other international headline acts were famed Australian musician James Morrison and Sydney's Isaiah B Brunt playing electric blues, while Kiwis taking the stage will include the Bay of Plenty's own Kokomo performing at the Hurricane Party and Wellington's Lisa Tomlins giving a Joni Mitchell tribute.

"Bring your dancing shoes and help us enjoy it," Wilson said.

People poured into The Strand to enjoy the Downtown Carnival as part of the Tauranga National Jazz Festival last year. Photo/George Novak

The 41st National Youth Jazz Competition also got under way today. A record 320 competitors have forced organisers to add an extra day to cater for the 18 combos and 14 big bands from 21 secondary schools from around New Zealand.

Competition director Liam Ryan said it was an important incubator for emerging jazz players and the performance standard was incredibly high.

"The competition has helped launch the careers of many of New Zealand's top musicians – including singer Hollie Smith, saxophonist Nathan Haines and hip-hop artist Sacha Vee, who has a huge following in Europe," Ryan said.

"Past winner Matt Penman is now one of New York's top jazz session musicians, and you can guarantee that just about any Kiwi band with a horn section has musicians who came through the competition."

56th National Jazz Festival Tauranga

- March 28 to April 2
- Six days of events
- 250 musicians
- 56th year