Celebrating a 50th anniversary is a big deal. Being one of the oldest Jazz Festival in the world is even bigger. This concert with an incredible line-up of international superstars is our invitation to New Zealand to come to Tauranga and celebrate with us, this is our Big Birthday Bash!

This 5 hour long 50th birthday bash concert of international superstars will be a once-in-a-lifetime concert.

Earth Wind & Fire, soul-funk superstars & multiple Grammy award winners, took the world of music by storm with their infectious blend of rhythm and blues, funk, and soul. They rose to be the seventh top selling US band of all time with 50 Gold and Platinum albums, 90 million albums sold and seven Top 10 US singles. Celebrating more than 40 years of global success, EWF features the sublime Philip Bailey on lead vocals alongside original members, Verdine White (bass) and Ralph Johnson (drums). The concert will feature hits 'September', 'Shining Star', 'Let's Groove Tonight', 'Sing A Song', 'Boogie Wonderland' and 'After The Love Has Gone'.

Keb Mo has garnered acclaim throughout his career as a blues singer, songwriter and guitarist. He has won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album three times. His music has long been regarded as a living link to the seminal Delta blues, and though his roots are in the Deep South, his success has spread worldwide. KEB MO is one of those performers who have taken the blues beyond its traditional audience, with his wide-ranging, appealing music and infectious performances it's no wonder he is an audience favourite. This performance with his full band will stay with you long after the festival is over.

Stepping onto the stage of the world-famous Apollo Theater in Harlem at age 4, PATTI AUSTIN turned professional at 5. The goddaughter of Quincy Jones and Dinah Washington produced chart topping hits 'Baby, Come to Me' and duets with Michael Jackson, George Benson and Luther Vandross. Nominated nine times for a Grammy Award, in 2008 her record Avant Gershwin received the coveted Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album.