Everyone listen up – the Port of Tauranga National Jazz Festival is back this Easter for its 60th year, promising to be as fresh, funky and focused on fun for audiences of all ages as ever.

'Some people come to our festival every year, others visit every few years – my advice is don't miss this Easter's jazz festival,” says organiser Marc Anderson. 'Get to this one – or you'll seriously regret it.”

The festival is celebrating six decades of jazz in Tauranga City from April 1-10 with a spectacular line-up of music, showcasing some of Australasia's best jazz musicians, with something for everyone!

Things kicks off April 1 in Katikati with a street party. Then comes ‘Unforgettable – the Nat King Cole story' concert at 16^th Ave Theatre on April 1-2 and on April 4-5. The 45^th National Youth Jazz competition is April 4-6.

On April 6-9 is the Baycourt Concert Series – where 11 acts will serve up sounds for all musical tastes from classical jazz, swing, rhythm and blues, to acid jazz and heavy funk. 'If you've never been to a Baycourt Concert Series show before – pull it out of your bucket list and into reality by booking one now,” says Marc. 'They're an unforgettable experience.”

Concert Series line-up

This year's series offers ‘The Jac is Back' by eight-piece ensemble The Jac; ‘Rodger plays Rodger' – marking the Rodger Fox Big Band's 50th anniversary; ‘The New Caledonia' psychedelic rock band; Shirazz and Scott Harrison's ‘Piping Hot Dixie' gig; ‘The Michal Martyniuk Trio with Dixon Nacey'; Allana Goldsmith and composer pianist Mark Baynes perform their album ‘E Rere Rā'; ‘The 60^th anniversary Gala' celebrating the best BOP jazz artists from 1963-2023; the ‘Tauranga Big Band Showcase'; the ‘Blue Train Reunion'; ‘Sassy and the Blue Riders'; and soul and grooves meets galactic funk ‘Black Comet'.

Jazz in te Reo Māori

Allana Goldsmith (Ngati Porou/Ngai Tai) has attended the festival since the age of 17 and always wanted to perform on-stage – her most recent jazz festival gig, in 2019, sold out. This time Allana will perform original material from her and Mark Baynes' new album, ‘E Rere Rā', in te Reo Māori.

Allana appreciates the chance to be able to bring original music 'and branch out into things people aren't so used to; into music people don't realise could be in another language”.

'I enjoy pushing the boundaries of what people are used to hearing and letting them discover jazz sounds great in te Reo Māori. It's about a bit of education with the audience but mainly people having open ears to music in general.”

Piping Hot Dixie. Photo: Supplied.

Drummer Stan Bicknell, who lives in Papamoa but plays for big names worldwide, will be home at Easter to play drums for ‘Black Comet' and ‘The New Caledonia' in the Baycourt Concert Series.

He thinks some of this year's acts will offer fresh flavours for audiences to absorb and add to the festival's vibe. 'I think it's an awesome move to bring in some fresh sounds.

'I know from the community I live in that people talk about the jazz festival in very high regard...being the 60^th year, and with so much history to the festival, adding new energy has to be handled with respect. It's an exciting move and I'm super-honoured to be part of it.”

Downtown Carnival

On Easter weekend, the two-day Downtown Carnival is on April 8-9 with musicians performing outside and amid bars and restaurants along The Strand, Wharf St and Red Square.

‘Jazz at the Mount' returns Easter Monday, April 10, with an 11am Vintage Car Parade on Maunganui Rd, then a display at Coronation Park.

For a full programme of events and ticket purchase, visit: ticketek.co.nz Or jazz.org.nz