Jazz stars set to entertain Christchurch music lovers

Jazz stars set to entertain Christchurch music lovers

October 21, 2011

An array of great musicians have been selected to perform as part of Taste Jazz, which will take place in the Hagley Park Events Village on Saturday, November 5.

Over the course of the day some of the best jazz musicians from around the country will perform for the public, free of charge, ahead of a ticketed tribute concert to the First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald in the evening.

Taste Jazz has been organised by the New Zealand International Jazz & Blues Festival to give Christchurch people a lift and to give them a taste of what is in store for them next year.

“We had to cancel this year’s festival because of the quakes so Christchurch people have not had many opportunities to enjoy live jazz. We thought it was about time we brought music back into their lives,’’ says festival director Jodi Wright.

The Christchurch Jazz Orchestra will be followed on stage by Solpak, a dynamic jazz band that has been performing in New Zealand since the early 1990s.

During the afternoon there will be performances by harmonica player Nola Mills and the Tom Rainey quartet, Christchurch jazz band Sumo Jazz, the Rayna Creagh Quartet, and the Reuben Bradley quartet- the winner of the 2011 Vodafone Music Award for Best Jazz Album.

"It’s going to be a lovely day out so get your friends and family together and join us in North Hagley Park for some great soul-soothing music," Ms Wright says.

Taste Jazz will be followed on November 6 by Taste Blues, which brings together Christchurch’s blues stalwarts for another day of free entertainment.

For more information go to jazzfestivalnz.com.

ENDS

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