Jazz festival coming back to Christchurch

One of New Zealand’s longest-running music festivals is coming back to Christchurch next month with new venues and a feast of talent.

The Cavell Leitch New Zealand International Jazz and Blues Festival runs from May 24 to 28 with 31 performances at 10 venues across Christchurch, including new venue The Piano.

Festival Director Jodi Wright says for the past 21 years the festival has given the South Island an international standard event featuring some of the world’s best jazz and blues artists.

The Kenny Barron Trio.

“We are supporting the New Zealand music industry in the best way possible, by providing creative and live performance opportunities for hundreds of local and nationally based musicians and artists each year. It is great to be able to evolve with Christchurch and support our new venues too.

“The 22nd festival promises an outstanding programme of international and national performances, and a few once-in-a-lifetime shows,” she says.

Headlining this year’s festival is American jazz great Kenny Barron with his trio. He will be playing two shows at The Piano on 26 and 27 May.

“Kenny has an unmatched ability to mesmerise audiences with his elegant playing, sensitive melodies, and infectious rhythms. The Los Angeles Times named him ‘one of the top jazz pianists in the world’ and Jazz Weekly calls him ‘the most lyrical piano player of our time.’”

Irish blues and jazz guitarist Jimmy Smyth will appear at the festival for first time this year. He will be joining another Irish favourite Mary Coughlan, as well as performing a solo show.

Talented singer/songwriter Anna Coddington is playing with big band Oval Office in the festival’s Blue Smoke series at The Tannery. Acclaimed country and blues singer Tami Neilson and her band play for one night in the Charles Luney Auditorium, and The Waiheke International Soul Orchestra perform in the Blue Smoke series.

“This festival will also feature more than a few Christchurch musicians performing their best work. They include The Eastern with special guests Luckless and the Ravens in the Blue Smoke series, and a talented array of the city’s best vocalists and musicians in a tribute show, The Bacharach Years,” Jodi Wright says.

The ever-popular Jazz Dine is back at The George and Hotel Montreal with two nights of soulful music, matched with fine food and Black Estate wines on 24 and 25 May.

Other highlights this year include Jazz for Lunch at The Piano, and an impressive four-hour band concert when over 100 of Christchurch’s top high school jazz musicians perform at Christ’s College on 27 May.

See the full programme.