Tauranga Jazz Society president Jeff Baker says the team behind the Southern Hemisphere's longest-running jazz festival – based right here in Tauranga City – is eager for the music to play.

This year the 59th Port of Tauranga National Jazz Festival is on from June 19-26 – coinciding with New Zealand's first official celebration of Matariki.

Held annually at Easter for 58 years, this is the first time The National Jazz Festival had to be postponed. 'This is an exciting alternative and we are eager to present a new dynamic to the Downtown Carnival,” says Jeff.

'Instead of outdoor stages on The Strand, we're moving the action into the bars and cafes for a more intimate experience. We're also delighted to include ‘Jazz at the Mount' outdoors on Mount Mainstreet on Matariki Friday.”

Festival manager Marc Anderson says a whopping 175 performances are on from June 19-26. 'There are many new acts and together with favourites from around New Zealand, it's going to be blast.”

'We are excited to have Port of Tauranga as our major sponsor and are grateful to Tauranga City Council, TECT and all our partners for their ongoing support,” says Marc.

Festival fun begins June 19 with the 44th National Youth Jazz Competition – the biggest yet –showcasing the best emerging jazz players from more than 30 secondary schools.

With 34 combos and 21 Big Bands competing, 500 students will make Baycourt Community & Arts Centre hum with jazz from June 19-21. Plus, an evening concert will feature competition judges themselves.

Baycourt Community & Art Centre will continue to hum – this time with world-class jazz-inspired music from June 22-25 as eight dynamic acts bring to life The National Jazz Festival Concert Series.

This year's Concert Series is themed on International Jazz Greats – and headlined by legendary music icon Midge Marsden, making these shows the hottest tickets in town.

Starting June 22, Mandy Meadows and Chris Williamson will transport you to New York's Carnegie Hall, where distinguished guitarist Joe Pass and Ella Fitzgerald first performed together – in their debut of ‘Ella & Joe'.

At 8pm that night, Midge Marsden will play Rhythm & Blues from his illustrious five-decade career offering a variety of much-loved and surprise pieces from his band's repertoire.

‘The songs of Eva Cassidy' will flow through Caitriona Fallon's spine-tingling voice on June 23 at 6pm. The performance promises pin-drop moments with voice and piano, guitar solos to full-band, foot-tapping energy.

The Tauranga Big Band present their new show ‘Black & Gold' with a world premiere composed by Dr Ryan Brake titled ‘Te Pura - The Guardian Taniwha of Wairoa' – incorporating jazz with powerful sounds of Taonga Puro that captures the mana and retells the story of Te Pura – the same night at 8pm.

And if you love Miles Davis and Chet Baker you'll enjoy international artist Geoff Culverwell and band delivering their take of the duo's tunes at 6pm June 23.

That night at 8pm the amazing Rodger Fox Big Band with Ms Erna Ferry and Mr Eugene Wolfin present ‘Frank meets Peggy' – celebrating songs of ‘The Great American Songbook' through the eyes of Frank Sinatra and Miss Peggy Lee.

The Joe Kaptein Quartet will showcase emerging original jazz at its best from 6pm June 25. Winding up the series at 8pm that night is ‘The Look of Love', with award-winning Ali Harper showcasing Burt Bacharach's hit songs.

The festival's new Jazz Café & VIP Bar at The Tauranga Club on June 24-25, from 9pm-11.30pm is where festival-goers can relax to a fantastic jam session. Booking early to avoid disappointment!

Miho's Jazz Orchestra, a dynamic jazz ensemble led by Japanese-born Kiwi Miho Wada on flute and saxophone, performing original music, will perform at both the new ‘Jazz at the Mount' event on Matariki Friday June 24, and the Downtown Carnival on June 25-26. Photo: Supplied.

For those still craving outdoor jazz action, ‘Jazz at the Mount' on Matariki Friday, June 24, will have an outdoor stage at Porotakataka Park, Mount Maunganui's urban space, for everyone to soak up live music from 10am-5pm. This new event is proudly sponsored by Mount Mainstreet.

Marc says no matter what the weather Gods serve on June 24 – all ‘Jazz at the Mount' acts will go ahead. If it rains, the music will be dotted through Mount restaurants and bars 'so no-one has to alter their jazz plans”.

Taking over Totara Street the same night is the high-energy Hurricane Party, with quality ‘groove-meisters' galore who are game to get everyone dancing the night away.

The night features Miho's Jazz Orchestra, a dynamic jazz ensemble led by Japanese-born Kiwi Miho Wada on flute and saxophone, performing original music. Six-piece upbeat jazz-funk band Spiral Collective will sing original music-telling stories and uplifting messages. Then funky Big Tasty play, led by diminutive powerhouse frontwoman Manuela Ovalle Herrera.

The Downtown Carnival on June 25-26 will this year draw people off the streets and into bars and restaurants along The Strand, Wharf St and Red Square. 'This will be a throw-back to the way the Downtown Carnival used to be delivered – just for this year,” says Marc.

'The experience will be an intimate music scene indoors, reminiscent of much-loved European Jazz Festivals – there's music for everyone to enjoy from jazz, swing, blues and funk!”

On June 25 the Vintage Car Parade joins the carnival, heading down The Strand at 11am with 50-plus vintage cars.

June 26 is the ‘Tea dance: Let the Band Play on Again' at Tauranga Citizens Club from 5pm. This swinging evening of jazz and dancing is a chance to put your glad rags on and step it out in style!

The festival programme is at: www.jazz.org.nz. So join in the fun and bring your family and friends along!