16 May 2016

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Christchurch is in for a toe-tapping time when the Cavell Leitch New Zealand International Jazz and Blues Festival returns to the city.

The five-day festival runs from Wednesday, May 25 until Sunday, May 29 and includes performances by some of New Zealand's best musicians as well as top international acts.

“With 26 shows programmed over five days this is an unprecedented opportunity to hear the best Kiwi jazz stars alongside top international acts,” says Festival Director, Jodi Wright.

For the first time the Isaac Theatre Royal features in the festival programme, hosting two of the week’s top shows including the opening night 25th Anniversary Gala Jazz Concert. The May 25 show brings together a prestigious line up of Jazz School graduates, staff and current students to start the festival in style.

Multi-Grammy award winner, and American jazz great Ramsey Lewis and his quartet will headline the festival on May 26 at Isaac Theatre Royal for their first and only New Zealand appearance.

Tami Neilson tops the Jazz in the City line-up on May 27 with her Crying in the Chapel presented at the Transitional Cathedral. The APRA Silver Scroll winner, whose soulful singing has been praised as a hybrid of acoustic torch and stripped-bare alt-country, will be drawing on the repertoire of greats like Johnny Cash, Tom Waits, Mavis Staples and Bob Dylan.

Paying tribute to the great Stevie Wonder, Kate Taylor and her band perform a collection of his greatest hits in a one-off musical extravaganza at the Transitional Cathedral on May 28. With a full horn and rhythm section to highlight the magic of Wonder’s timeless songs, this concert will feature everything from his upbeat tracks to his big ballads.

Back again in its second year, The Gym at The Arts Centre is home to the Dormer Jazz and Blues Club. This year’s line-up features some of Australia’s best performers including top blues instrumentalist Isaiah B. Brunt, the ‘Queen of Boogie Piano’ Jan Preston, acclaimed vocalist Hetty Kate with James Sherlock, and from New Caledonia soul jazz organist Michael Benebig and his trio.

See the full festival programme.