By JONATHON HOWARD
THIS year’s jazz element for the 10th anniversary of the Jumpers and Jazz Festival is looking hot, according to organiser Tracy Vellacott.
“From seductive female vocalists like Natalie de Jager, Amy Michaels and Robyn Brown from Sassy Jazz to the charismatic male front voices of Craig Burnett of Scat and Roo Friend from The Clem Four, there’s sure to be a voice that makes you go ‘wow’,” Mr Vellacott said.
Mrs Vellacott said one of the stand-out performances will be from the Queensland Music Festival’s Simon Tedeschi and Ian Cooper, who will star in the Warwick Credit Union Stroll ‘n’ Swing.
“These guys have played for presidents, queens and princesses and performed to audiences of thousands, from Paris to New York and London to Sydney but they haven’t been to Georgetown, Normanton, Mareeba, Winton, Birdsville, Quilpie, Charleville, Cunnamulla and Goondiwindi so they’re coming the long way round to Warwick, via those remote communities.”
Across the mix of over 40 live jazz events at clubs, pubs, cafes and restaurants, the connections are local, renewed and brand new.
“This festival offers a big stage and audience for local jazz performers including the hugely popular Aperitif Jazz Ensemble, the youthful and talented Warwick State High School ensembles, Southern Downs Big Band, East Street Singers and the unique sounds of Pangea Music with their WUPPIE and marimba ensembles.”
New local vocal trio the Blue Violets will build their following over the festival at venues across town including 3 Lil Pigs Café, Bryson’s Place and the Show Society’s Great Gatsby Night.
Festival favourites the Freud Squad, The Clem Four, Sunrise Road, Steve Henry Quartet and jazz vibist James Whiting return, along with Brisbane-based jazz band Scat, who have toured nationally and internationally playing sold out shows in world-class jazz venues. Scat will play the launch party at the Warwick Art Gallery, along with Rupert’s Supper Club the following evening.
According to Mrs Vellacott, organisers get carried away listening to new bands audition to be part of the festival.
“We strive to keep the music fresh so that when visitors return year after year, they can catch their favourites as well as being able to make new jazz connections,” she said.
“Expect whistles and cheers as some of the country’s finest jazz musicians descend on community stages and private venues around the region,” Mrs Vellacott said.
For further information about the complete jazz program for Warwick’s 10th annual Jumpers and Jazz Festival, visit www.jumpersandjazz.com or phone 4661 9073.
