If Santa didn't quite hit the high notes this Christmas, then securing tickets to the National Jazz Festival Tauranga's star-studded line-up of events is sure to make up for it.

The 56^th festival, the longest-running of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, will have Tauranga rocking this Easter with an impressive line-up of musicians – both local and from abroad.

And while it might seem a wee way off, you'd better get in quick as these tickets won't last long.

2018 will see something for everyone with crowd favourites including the Baycourt concert series, the 41^st National Youth Jazz Competition, the TECT Big Band Bonanza on The Strand Waterfront.

Downtown Carnival, the high-energy Hurricane Parties and much more.

Local bands hitting the stage include shining star Caitriona Fallon and the Bay of Plenty's very own Kokomo, as well as old-time festival favourites Woody Woodhouse Connection, Bay Dixie and The BBC.

International acts sure to wow include six-piece Melbourne traditional jazz and Dixieland band Shirazz, Sydney bluesman Isaiah B Brunt and world-renowned Australian trumpeter James Morrison performing with the James Morrison Quartet.

'We have an incredible line-up of events and acts showcasing the many different areas of jazz – from traditional New Orleans jazz to swing, bebop, fusion, blues, funk and soul – with something to suit everyone's musical tastes,” explains festival director Craig Wilson.

'Tickets are selling fast, so get in quick or miss out on helping put jazz and Tauranga on the map.”

The 56^th National Jazz Festival Tauranga runs from March 28-April 2.

For the full National Jazz Festival Tauranga programme and tickets visit: www.jazz.org.nz