Nelson Winter Jazz Festival

Nelson Winter Jazz Festival

The Nelson School of Music is set to brighten up the long nights of July with the Nelson Winter Music Festival, packed with 17 concerts, ranging from improvised jazz and light opera to baby boomer comedy and a Doors¹ tribute.

The festival opens on July 9 with Jennifer Ward-Lealand in cabaret as Marlene Dietrich singing the songs of the thirties, and winds up on July 24 with an intimate concert from Œnational treasure¹ Dave Dobbyn.

Nelson School of Music manager Frances McElhinney says the festival has gained a national reputation that hinges not just on the programme of concerts, but also on the attractions of Nelson.

³Our slogan captures it perfectly “Nelson by day, music by night”, she says. ³It we get those frosty clear days we¹re famous for, Nelson has a whole lot to offer visitors at this time of year, from biking and kayaking to boutique shops and craft galleries; then there¹s great music in the wonderful acoustics of the School of Music at night.²

Ms McElhinney says she¹s very pleased with the range of concerts on offer this year.

³There really is soemthing for all tastes in this programme, we are bringing people to Nelson you wouldn¹t usually see here - such as opera singer Anna Leese, commediene Jane Keller and pianist Michael Endres, one of the world¹s foremost Schubert interpreters who now lives in New Zealand,² she said. ³He will be amazing on our new Sturgeon Steinway, as will John Chen in the Saguaro Trio with Luanne Homzy on violin and Peter Myers on cello.²

Local talent includes the Made in NSOM concert showcasing students who learn their performance skills at the School of Music, and the Nelson Symphony Orchestra conducted by Kenneth Young with guest soloist Jennifer Banks.

The festival is during the school holidays and has two chilldren¹s shows: Cinders is a twist on the classic fairy story performed by Nelson Youth Theatre and the The Bubbles & Mustard Show is a wacky radio tour from Phineas Phrog.

The Nelson Winter Music Festival has received sponsorship from the Nelson Events Marketing and Development Programme, which is funded by the Nelson City Council. The programme¹s objective is to stimulate Nelson city¹s economy in the shoulder and off-peak season by bringing visitors to Nelson for events.

The festival programme will be launched at a function on Thursday night. More info & ticket bookings at www.nelsonwinterfestival.co.nz or at the School of Music booking office in Nile Street, phone 03 548 9477.

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