International Acts to Headline New Wellington Jazz Festival in March 2009

Chart-topping American jazz greats will headline a stunning international line-up of artists planned for the new Wellington Jazz Festival in March 2009.

The inaugural Wellington Jazz Festival will take place from 5-8 March, within four venues centred round the Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington Town Hall and Civic Square.

The line-up will feature a range of events for everyone from families to jazz aficionados. Over four days audiences and musicians will be invited to explore the world of jazz and discover just how far jazz has spread its roots stylistically and geographically.

Featuring a broad range of music performed by leading international and New Zealand jazz artists, the line-up promises a wide reaching palette of traditional and contemporary jazz, Latin, rhythm ’n’ blues, gospel, soul and more!

Organisers of the Jazz Festival are keeping the programme under wraps until November when the headline acts will be announced. Artistic Director Lissa Twomey hints that it includes a number of artists who will be touring to New Zealand for the first time and performing exclusively in Wellington.

A highlight of the festival will be the creation of a purpose built stage within the Wellington Town Hall. “It will be the Town Hall as never seen before – we’re turning it into a funky intimate venue which will become the hub of the festival with events running during the day, performances in the evening and late night jam sessions – with a true jazz club atmosphere.”

Supported by Wellington City Council and managed by the New Zealand International Arts Festival, the new Wellington Jazz Festival will be the highlight of the New Zealand jazz calendar for 2009 and is set to be a biennial event. The full programme will be launched in January 2009.

For more information on the Festival and updates of performers, visit www.jazzfestival.co.nz