2015 Queen’s Birthday Jazz And Blues Festival

2015 Queen’s Birthday Jazz And Blues Festival

Expressions is pleased to announce the acts for its annual Queen’s Birthday Jazz and Blues Festival: 6 days of sultry jazz and smooth blues. This year’s line-up is huge with the very best New Zealand acts, including two New Zealand icons; Michael Houston and Rodger Fox teaming up together for the first time, a tribute concert to Miles Davis’ Birth of the Cool, and the popular Sunday Soul, a free Community Concert on the Sunday night.

The Festival hits off on Wednesday 27 May with Andrew London’s Lucky Break. Featuring the renowned voice of Hot Club Sandwich together with Wayne Mason in a satirical line up based around Andrew London’s comedy songs. Favorite songs such as ‘Up a Lazy River/Mack The Knife/Sunny Side of the Street will be included in this swampy, groovy, swinging night designed to get your toes tapping.

Thursday 28 May sees Birth of the Cool; a moving tribute to the 1957 compilation album by Miles Davis. With the unusual grouping of saxophone, trumpet, bass, drums, piano these famous recordings are considered seminal in the history of cool jazz. In this concert, a New Zealand School of Music ensemble led by Dr Dave Lisik, recreates the music to celebrate one of the greatest moments in Jazz history.

The festival’s signature Jazz Gala on Friday 29 May proudly features two New Zealand icons Michael Houston - classical piano maestro and Rodger Fox - renowned jazz maestro. These two Masters of their crafts join forces to blend the best of classical with the best of jazz in a night a style and class. Featuring special quests internationally acclaimed saxophone artist Roger Manins and leading jazz vocal Erna Ferry, together with a swinging big band this will be a unique concert of sultry jazz and classical soul.

Blues Night on Saturday brings you New Zealand’s premier blues artist Bullfrog Rata and his foot stomping classics to the stage. Bullfrog Rata - who has supported artists such as Tina Turner, Junior Wells, Taj Mahal and Jethro Tull will make your cares and worries disappear as the beat, the sound, the music and the voice to take you to another place; somewhere with the wind at your face and the entire world at your feet.

And a favourite addition to the festival is Sunday Soul, a free community concert presented by Soul City Church. Featuring Lisa Tomlins singing well-known favourite sing-a-longs, and ‘sweet as honey’ music, this will a night of wonderfully moving music that stirs your soul, shakes you up and stays with you. Expressions will also be hosting a special Queen’s Birthday High Tea on the Monday afternoon. This will be a chance to experience the glamour of High Tea and treat yourself to an afternoon of indulgence. Featuring lovingly created and beautifully crafted sweet and savoury delights for you to relish and a refreshing glass of bubbles, this is the perfect way to end the festival.

Tickets $45 Adult | $160 four concert Festival Pass | $40 Friends I $20 Students

Queen’s Birthday Jazz and Blues Festival is brought to you by Expressions Arts & Entertainment Centre with funding from the Rimutaka Trust and support from The Breeze.

ENDS

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