Clarence in a festive mood
AFTER turning 21 last year, the Clarence Jazz Festival is all grown up and ready to party in sophisticated style later this month.
To be held at various Eastern Shore venues between February 18 and 25, this year’s Clarence Jazz Festival will continue the long-running event’s mission “to seek out amazing musicians, explore new styles, and boldly go where no jazz festival has gone before”.
Along with the best local performers, Clarence Jazz features a number of special guest artists each year. For 2018 they are internationally renowned Sydney saxophonist, composer and educator Dr Sandy Evans, OAM; ARIA Award-winning Melbourne pianist Andrea Keller; and Brisbane-based, Tasmanian-born rising star vocalist Elly Hoyt.
The festival will kick off at the Bellerive Beach Park on February 18 with the first of the free Twilight Series outdoor concerts, with the Seratones and Bootleg Gin Sluggers joined by 2018 Festival Ambassador George Washingmachine.
The Twilight Series continues with shows in the Geilston Bay Parklands on February 19 (featuring Arman & Co and the Cygnet Jazz Collective); at Simmons Park, Lindisfarne, on February 20 ( Swingmatism and Mouldy Fig); in the Sandford Hall grounds on February 21 ( Dixie Swamp Traders and Nadira Does Latin); and on the Rosny Farm lawns on February 22 ( The Rugcutters Jass Band and Mangus & Co).
The Barn at Rosny Farm will again host a series of intimate Jazz Lounge performances, including shows at 6.30pm on February 23 and 24 featuring guest artists Evans, Keller and Hoyt, joined by Nicholas Haywood and Alf Jackson.
Other Jazz Lounge gigs will feature the Hobart Jazz Quartet, the Vanguard Jazz Band, Lauren Dawes singing Eva Cassidy, and Hannah May singing Norah Jones.
The festival culminates in the ever-popular Big Weekend of free music on the Bellerive Boardwalk from February 2325, with highlights to include performances by the Spike Mason 4tet, Baba Bruja, Yesterday’s Gentlemen, Moonlight Aviators, Matthew Ives and his Big Band, Django’s Tiger, Uncle Gus and the Rim Shots, Mia Palencia and the George Washingmachine Allstars.
“The Clarence Jazz Festival is the city’s premier event and delivers a festival full of great music and relaxed atmosphere for people of all ages to enjoy,” Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman says.
“What better way to enjoy our ever-improving parklands than with the sweet tones of jazz and a picnic with friends?”
The 2018 Clarence Jazz Festival program is in today’s Mercury, and can also be found at www.clarenceartsandevents.net