Festival back with a (tuneful) bang
New Zealand's biggest combined jazz and blues event comes back with a bang in April, starting with a concert honouring
one of jazz's all-time greats.
Popular Australian brass musician James Morrison will open the New Zealand International Jazz and Blues Festival on
April 5 with a Tribute to Louis Armstrong - an opening concert that is guaranteed to get the Christchurch festival
started on the right note.
Other international acts confirmed to perform over the six days of the festival include legendary pianist and key player
in the rise of jazz/rock fusion, Brian Auger.
With over 20 studio recordings, a Grammy nomination and 10 albums charting in Billboard's Hot 100, Auger is a true
original who injects his music with fire and passion. He will perform his Oblivion Express show in Christchurch for one
night only.
Young UK singer-songwriter Newton Faulkner and Seattle trumpeting sensation Thomas Marriott will also make their debut
appearance at the festival, which, as always, features a strong line-up of Kiwi jazz and blues musicians.