ASB JazzFest Queenstown hits high note this Labour Weekend
Thursday 23 October 2008, 6:32PM
By ASB JazzFest Queenstown
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Queenstown’s 10-day springtime music festival hits a high note this Labour Weekend with a stunning line-up of headline concerts and free gigs around the district celebrating 30 years of jazz.
On Friday 24 October New Zealand’s Best Female Solo Artist Anika Moa, backed by the Frank Gibson Quartet, will perform a unique ‘one night only’ performance at Queenstown Memorial Hall featuring her best-selling songs with a jazz ‘twist.’ Trevor Coleman and his jazz fusion ensemble Subject2Change open the evening.
For just $20, budding drummers of any age and skill level have the opportunity to learn from New Zealand’s foremost drummer, jazz drummer and drum tutor Frank Gibson in a master class at 10am on Saturday.
The Mountain Scene Jazz’n’Beats Dance Party on Saturday night features the outstanding Lewis McCallum Band with Cherie Mathieson and New Zealand’s leading DJ Chris Cox. The fusion of dance and beats culture is guaranteed to have people dancing the night away, and tickets are just $33.
Sunday’s two headline events are not to be missed. From 11am, violin virtuoso Fiona Pears will be taking locals and visitors to new heights at the Skyline JazzFest Sunday Brunch with her amazing mix of Celtic, gypsy, Latin and classical jazz. The brunch will be held at the Skyline Restaurant at the top of the Gondola in the iconic Skyline complex and the $44 ticket includes a full sumptuous buffet brunch and return gondola ride.
Sunday night is the JazzFest Finale concert which will celebrate the festival’s 30th anniversary in style. Fiona Pears will be performing alongside uptown blues maestros King Leo and the Growling Dogs, Melbourne’s jazz groove gurus the Michael Story Trio, Latino, Subject2change, and the Frank Gibson Trio, plus some very special guests.
ASB JazzFest Queenstown director Harvey Maguire urges everyone to get out and enjoy this weekend’s festivities.
“We’d love people to help us celebrate our 30th birthday by coming along to our amazing headline concerts and enjoying all the free gigs around the district. Our finale concert on Sunday night which celebrates 30 years of jazz will be really special - it’s a music extravaganza with a compelling, highly infectious range of styles guaranteed to get everyone on their feet. We’re also offering one free ticket if you buy a table of 10 which is a saving of $77!”
The festival culminates in a ‘Jazz in the Vines’ performance at Gibbston Valley on Labour Day.
Festival tickets can be purchased online through www.asbjazzfest.co.nz , by calling TicketDirect on 03 450 9110 or 0800 224 224, or at the Queenstown i-Site (corner of Shotover and Camp streets).