Floating tribute to giants of jazz

A TRUE fan of Sydney band Galapagos Duck, one of the main attractions at the Clarence Jazz Festival, named his 37-foot wooden yacht after them almost 40 years ago, and will be attending their sold-out show tonight.

The local 88-year-old boat owner Terry Bragg said he has seen the band play several times.

“I met them backstage after their concert at the Odeon and asked them if it was all right to name my boat after their band and they said yes,” Mr Bragg said.

“They said they’d come aboard and have a photo shoot and put the shot on a record album but that never happened.”

The eight-day festival that started on Sunday is celebrating its 23rd year, hosting local, Australian and international acts, with free and ticketed events.

Festival ambassador Australian jazz musician Adrian Cunningham has flown from New York to take part in this festival for the first time. As the host, Mr Cunningham has been playing in each band’s show.

Once the saxophone player of Galapagos Duck, Mr Cunningham said he knows the boys quite well and hopes to sneak in a tune with them.

“That’s the great thing about jazz, you don’t have to rehearse so I can come and guest with these bands and the real chemistry is what happens spontaneously so it’s a nice role,” he said.

The finale of the festival, The Big Weekend, starts today at Rosny Farm and will continue through Sunday.