Downtown Jumping with Jazz This Easter

Downtown Jumping with Jazz This Easter

This Easter, more than twenty bands and performers will once again flood Tauranga waterfront for the 53rd National Jazz Festival’s Downtown Carnival.

Taking place in the central city on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 April, Tauranga’s biggest street party brings some of the best jazz, blues, funk and soul to downtown. With four stages set up along the Strand, and fantastic family entertainment on the waterfront, the city is a hive of activity from noon until 6pm each day.

Festival Director Rebecca Chambers says they have programmed a wide range of music from classic jazz, blues, world, swing, soul and funk.

“On Saturday we have festival favourites like Shaken Not Stirred, Juice on the Loose and Brilleaux plus special jazz experiences from the Jazz Combo from the Royal New Zealand Navy Band and the Alan Brown Trio. For blues lovers the Mike Garner Band featuring Neil Billington on harmonica will be a special treat. ”

On Sunday Wellington band The Jac open the carnival on The Radio Hauraki Stage followed by newcomers to the festival Carnivorous Plant Society and then the ever-popular Hipstamatics perform their red hot take on funk and soul. Tauranga’s favourite blues and roots band Kokomo start off the performances on the Trinity Wharf Stage at 12pm followed by Musika from Auckland and finishing with the West Coast Jazz Band from Raglan.

The family fun-zone is back again this year on both days down at the waterfront, with plenty of fun rides and activities for the kids on offer as well as great music from The Queen City Big Band on Saturday from 1.00pm to 3.30pm.

“There is something for everyone over the weekend – the town will be jumping! Get together with friends and family and enjoy great jazz and blues in the sunshine and celebrate Easter with us,” concludes Mrs Chambers.

For the full Downtown Carnival line-up and to find out when your favourite band is playing, check out jazz.org.nz

Downtown Carnival – The Strand and Tauranga Waterfront – Gold coin entry, Children Free.

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National Jazz Festival Tauranga 2-6 April 2015 www.jazz.org.nz
Tickets available www.ticketek.co.nz phone 0800 842 538

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