Media release from ASB Queenstown JazzFest

30 September 2009

Kiwi songbird sets the tone for Queenstown jazz festival

The smooth, spellbinding vocals of New Zealand’s Caitlin Smith will set the tone at next month’s ASB Queenstown JazzFest.

The renowned singer, composer and vocal coach, who has been compared to jazz greats Carole King and Norah Jones, will take locals and visitors to new heights with her eclectic and sophisticated blend of jazz, blues, pop and folk.
he Caitlin Smith Trio headlines at one of the festival’s few ticketed events this year - the Skyline JazzFest Sunday Brunch on Sunday 25 October at the Skyline Restaurant.

Queenstown Jazz Festival trustee Nicola Lindsay says it’s the perfect way to start a lazy Sunday.

“You can’t go wrong - the combination of a sumptuous brunch, magnificent panoramic views and music that soothes your soul will amount to pure escapism.”

As part of the jazz festival, budding vocalists of all ages will also get the chance to attend Caitlin Smith’s three-hour vocal workshop on Saturday 24 October.  The workshop is designed to arm singers with a full arsenal of vocal tips and exercises.

The list of vocalists she has coached over the years reads like a ‘who’s who’ of Kiwi music.  Singers include Hollie Smith, Anika Moa, Che Fu, Ladi 6, Ardijah’s Betty Ann Monga, Open Souls’ Bjorn Peterson, The Datsuns’ Dolf de Datsun, Nesian Mystik, and Truebliss.

Ms Lindsay is delighted to be able to offer Queenstowners a chance to learn from one of New Zealand’s best. 

“Caitlin Smith is the real deal.  She has a multi-octave voice, excellent vocal control, and can demonstrate the art of using the voice as an instrument with ease.
“She’s a fantastic vocal coach and will give singers tools to last them a lifetime.  Probably the most important thing they’ll learn from her is the ability to identify the “personality” of their voice and how to best use it.  This is a very special talent Caitlin has – she’s able to connect a singer’s sound to what’s in their soul. This isn’t natural in every singer but her well proven techniques help them discover and explore it.

“Learning these techniques is invaluable to singers of any style because it means they can deliver more vocal depth and expand their repertoire,” she says.

Caitlin’s passion for music started from day one and her major influences initially came from her mother who loved opera singing and her father who loved blues records.

Now one of New Zealand’s most respected musicians, composers and vocal teachers, her extensive career includes six albums, more than 10 residencies, and performances at jazz clubs, festivals and events worldwide.  She has also made several television appearances and is a familiar voice on TV commercials – her most recent voiceover for a Subaru ad was a stunning rendition of The Motels song ‘Total Control’.

The ASB Queenstown JazzFest runs from 17 to 26 October and brings music to the masses in a 10-day live music celebration which showcases a breadth of jazz styles from around New Zealand and the world. 

Festival tickets can be purchased online through www.asbjazzfest.co.nz, at Queenstown i-Site (corner of Shotover and Camp streets) or by calling TicketDirect on 0800 224 224 (03 450 9110).

For more festival information please visit www.asbjazzfest.co.nz.

ENDS