German jazz great for Christchurch festival

German jazz great brings Passport to festival Klaus Doldinger's jazz fusion band Passport has given him entry to countless countries and now it is bringing him to New Zealand.

The German jazz great and his band are coming to Christchurch to perform at the New Zealand International Jazz & Blues Festival in April.

Doldinger, a talented saxophonist, pianist and composer, formed the band in 1971 and they remain one of the most celebrated live acts in their native Germany. Their ground-breaking recordings include Cross Collateral, Infinity Machine and Iguacu.

"Doldinger is one of the most successful German jazz artists of all time,'' says festival director Jodi Wright.

"People here may not know his name but I'm sure they know his music. He is an award-winning musician who is known globally for his film scores to movies such as Das Boot and The Never-Ending Story. He's got a back catalogue of more than 2000 compositions and has won numerous German music awards, as well as a Monterey Jazz Festival Award so we're very lucky to have secured him for the festival,'' Ms Wright says.

Doldinger will perform one concert only during the festival, on Thursday, April 12, at the GeoDome in the North Hagley Events Village.

"Audiences can expect some beautifully haunting melodies as well as some up-beat sounds and rhythms inspired by Doldinger's frequent trips to Brazil and Morocco so it will be a captivating concert,'' says Ms Wright.

Tickets for the concert are available through Dash Tickets. Some limited door sales will be available on the night.

For more information on the New Zealand International Jazz & Blues Festival check out http://www.jazzfestivalnz.com