Jazz festival putting on the glitz

ASB JazzFest Queenstown is ‘putting on the glitz’ this year with a spectacular cabaret show called VEGAS.

The show will bring musical phenomenon Tim Beveridge to Queenstown for the first time, together with Dancing with the Stars’ Candy Lane Dancers, and funnyman Gary McCormick as MC.

Arguably one of the world's great voices and a fine interpreter of jazz standards, Tim is delighted to be bringing the VEGAS experience to Queenstown following rave reviews around the country.

The show, to be held on Saturday 18 October at Queenstown Memorial Hall, celebrates the swinging era of Las Vegas with the music of Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and more.

“It’s a night of classic standards and full-on romance, featuring the songs that everyone knows and taps their toes to like Viva Las Vegas, She, Mack the Knife, Rio, and Copacabana,” said Tim. “The dancers are really something to look at, they’re stunning, a real spectacle.

“It’s a real visual spectacle, a combination of some of the country’s top jazz musicians, swing, dancers and lots and lots of feathers!”

Tim’s career has progressed in leaps and bounds since he abandoned life as a lawyer 12 years ago. He started in musical theatre and at 29 was the youngest performer ever to play the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera. He then emerged on the world stage as a finalist in the world's most prestigious musical theatre competition, the BBC Voice of Musical Theatre in the UK, in 2000 and 2002.

He has sung with stars like Sir Howard Morrison, Dame Malvina Major, Frankie Stevens, and Hayley Westenra, and performed the national anthem for the All Blacks. He's sung in every major venue in New Zealand, and at the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne Concert Hall.

His first CD, ‘Singer’ with the NZSO, went gold within four weeks of release and his second album ‘Come Rain Come Shine’ was mentored by Hollywood arranger and conductor Russ Garcia.

ASB JazzFest Queenstown director Harvey Maguire said he was “thrilled” to have Tim perform at the festival.

“He’s got a huge fan base so I’m sure he’ll attract an audience from far and wide,” he said. “It’s a great show that’s full of energy thanks to the Candy Lane Dancers and I’m sure Gary McCormick will have his usual droll ‘take’ on proceedings. All in all it promises to be a magical night out.”

Doors open from 7.30pm to the cool sounds of DJ Mark Robinson from Auckland’s GEORGE FM Jazz Station, then it’s on with the show. After the show, Robinson will round up the night for those wishing to stay on to chat, dance and enjoy a drink.

The ASB JazzFest Queenstown runs from 18 to 27 October and includes a number of feature events and dozens of bands and performers playing at numerous free gigs in the district.

Festival tickets can be purchased online through www.asbjazzfest.co.nz, by calling TicketDirect on 03 450 9110 or 0800 224 224, or bought at Queenstown i-Site (corner of Shotover and Camp streets).

VEGAS FACT FILE

18 Oct 2008, 7.30pm – midnight

Queenstown Memorial Hall

$88

Seating: Cabaret style, tables of 8-10 people