Sebel to cook up storm on Jazz Riverboat

Media Release - For immediate release
28 January 2009

Sebel to cook up storm on Jazz Riverboat

In what Jazz Festival Director Arne Herrmann calls “a perfect match” Tauranga’s luxury waterfront hotel confirmed today a major sponsorship for the 2009 National Jazz Festival by taking the naming rights to The Sebel Trinity Wharf Jazz Riverboat.

“We have been keenly interested in supporting iconic local events and when Arne offered us the Jazz Riverboat, I knew instantly that this would be the perfect vehicle for us to show our community support” says The Sebel’s general manager Gary Dickman.

The Jazz Riverboat is a new edition to the Jazz Festival’s programme chosen by the new festival director to highlight and celebrate Tauranga’s uniquely picturesque harbour and surroundings. “We want to show everyone visiting the city during the Festival that we live in one of the most stunning cities in the country and we are proud of it.” says Arne Herrmann. “’The Kewpie is the perfect ‘Riverboat’ for us, with a jazzy feel and a quirky history.” The Kewpie is a beautifully restored 46ft solid kauri classic ferry boat, well known from the days when it ran the world renowned Bay of Islands Cream Trip.

The Jazz Riverboat is scheduled for three cruises a day during the Easter weekend with space for only 60 people per trip. Every day a different Jazz band will be serenading the guests on board during the gentle trip around the Tauranga harbour. These rather exclusive journeys will now be sweetened by the catering of the Sebel’s gifted team of chefs.

“It just all makes sense – we will be an integral part of the Festival with the Jazz Riverboat departing from our own pier. We can showcase our luxury facilities, fine cuisine and the bonus will be to rub shoulders with The Blind Boys of Alabama and other Festival stars staying in our hotel over Easter.” says Mr. Dickman.

Tickets for The Sebel Trinity Wharf Jazz Riverboat are available from TicketDirect and Baycourt Theatre for $57 (excluding service fees) and include the catering and entertainment.

The 47th National Jazz Festival will take place from 9 to 13 April 2009 in Tauranga and will feature more than 40 bands. Highlights include the appearances of the Grammy award winning US soul and gospel stars The Blind Boys of Alabama, Hollie Smith, Charmaine Ford, the New Zealand School of Music Big Band under Rodger Fox and the transformation of Tauranga’s Historic Village into a New Orleans style Jazz Village.

Departure times for The Sebel Trinity Wharf Jazz Riverboat from Sebel Wharf
Fri 10 April, 4pm, 6pm & 8pm
Sat 11 April, 4pm, 6pm & 8pm
Sun 12 April 4pm, 6pm & 8pm

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