The Blind Boys of Alabama (USA)
Brace yourself for the most soulful music you’ll ever hear. All the way from the heartland of jazz to the Bay of Plenty comes this legendary Grammy Award winning ensemble for a two-night Festival appearance.
Swing Reverie (NZ)
Get into the swing of the 2009 Jazz Festival with this infectious tribute to Manouche gypsy music. Wellington trio Hot Club Sandwich and master guitarists Leigh Jackson and Nick Granville from Nouveau Manouche play a repertoire sprinkled with well-loved Django Reinhardt compositions. Special guests: Tim Williams (violin) and Sarah Bradley (vocals).
Big Band Night (NZ)
Charmaine Ford Trio with vocalist Kristin Berardi (NZ/AUS)
Charmaine Ford, the “rising star of NZ jazz piano”, returns to her hometown of Tauranga to treat us to her “spellbinding virtuosity” in aconcert with the sensational Australian vocalist Kristin Berardi, winner of the prestigious 2006 International Montreaux Festival Vocal Competition judged by Al Jarreau.
Hollie Smith and Band (NZ)
Look up “soul” in the dictionary and dusky-voiced chanteuse Hollie Smith embodies every aspect of the term. The career of this press-dubbed “Kiwi soul sister” has sky rocketed and Hollie signed last year to the Manhattan label, one of the world famous Blue Note stable, home to Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Norah Jones.
Dylan Elise (NZ)
The amazing young drummer Dylan Elise wowed audiences at last year’s festival in a vivid multi media display of jazz, latin, groove and rock drumming. Dylan will be joined onstage by a band of NZ’s hottest young kiwi jazz players. Sensational!
