ON SHOW: Lighthouse Cinema will show jazz films during the festival. IMAGE: Emma Moody
ORGANISERS OF this year’s Wellington Jazz Festival are promising something to suit everyone.
The annual event will have about 100 local and international acts in the line-up in June.
Festival artistic director Shelagh Magadza says they recently released the line-up of international stars coming for the festival
“Now we can confirm an exciting local line-up, featuring acts from both Wellington and around New Zealand,” she says.
For many international acts, including Germany’s Tord Gustavsen Quartet, this is their first time performing in New Zealand.
Organisers say there will be many award winning acts at the festival, including Grammy winners from America Dee Dee Bridgewater and Irvin Mayfield, who will be playing with The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra.
One of the more popular local acts is expected to be the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band.
For the first time the Wellington-based NZ School of Music will incorporate the festival into its curriculum.
The school will host jazz students from around the country and run master classes, and workshops.
Ms Magadza is urging Wellingtonians to get among the celebrations.
“The city’s laneways and venues will be humming with live music, good food, craft beer, great wine and a fun vibe throughout the jazz festival, and all within walking distance of Cuba Street.”
She says fine food and family-friendly fun can be enjoyed at Saturday’s jazz flavoured Wellington Night Market on lower Cuba Street, and Cuba Street’s Light House Cinema will screen jazz-inspired movies.
The Wellington Jazz Festival will be running from June 3 to June 7.
