This is a great time of year to be in the Bay!

Every week brings word of new events – there is a pile of stuff on and a pile of stuff coming up. I'll try to run down a bit of it this week, and you could check out last week's column on SunLive for more things happening this weekend.


American singer Jackie Ryan

First though, an apology to those good folk at the Marchwood Blues Picnic, the delightful little festival that's happening this Saturday (February 8) at Youngson Rd. Due to inexplicable gremlins sneaking in and messing with the usually faultless workings of The Weekend Sun the festival was peculiarly described as 'running from 2pm till probably 1pm”. As many eagle-eyed readers have pointed out, this was unlikely. It should have, in fact, read 'running from 2pm till probably 11pm”. Find full info at
www.bluespicnic.com.

OKAY. Moving right along, the biggest musical news of the week was the launch of the National Jazz Festival programme, or at least the Baycourt Concert Series part of it (the usual stages are planned for downtown and the Historic Village). My take on it: really good work from the organisers. It's a varied and interesting line-up, a solid mix of old and new, and right on the money in aiming at a Tauranga audience.

Each year in some way the programme has a slightly different emphasis - more I'm sure due to coincidence than planning - and this year the first thing to notice is the presence of an unusually high number of women. (Which is nothing but a good thing.)
This starts right from the git-go with opening Thursday night act, American singer Jackie Ryan. In a brave move, the festival's main overseas visitor is coming on a night that is almost exclusively for locals. She sounds sensational.

And the theme continues: there's a big band show featuring guest vocalist Caitlin Smith with the Auckland Jazz Orchestra, Wellington actress and singer Liz Kirkman presenting a tribute to jazz legend Anita O'Day, an Auckland trio recreating the songs of the Andrews Sisters, and an encore performance from amazing Japanese flautist Miho Wada who was such a hit last year.

The other shows are an interesting mix. Midge Marsden returns with guitarist Chet O'Connell for a more stripped-back show than previously, and outrageous multi-instrumental looper Adam Page is back from Australia. If you missed him a couple of years back then you're in for a treat.

There's also a concert that makes use of Baycourt's underutilized Wurlitzer and an evening of Gypsy swing from peculiarly-named Australian violinist George Washingmachine and his band. Don't be put off by the name – I've heard him and he really does the bizzo.

There's more of course: The Hurricane Party; the Youth Jazz Competitions; and, for the first time, stuff happening over at the Mount's MauaoPAC. There's a ten week build-up between now and Easter, so we'll return to the festival as more details are released.

But right now, a couple of events on next week...

First up on Friday night (February 14) is the launch of Baycourt's Arts On Tour programme. This is something else I'll examine in more detail but, in the meantime, check out the concert, going under the name Sad But True, which features Marlon Williams and Delaney Davidson playing music ranging across blues, folk and country, all with passion and modern style. I don't know how to properly describe these guys – go on-line and Google them and listen to some music. It'll be a great show. (Tickets are $24.50)

Then on Saturday (February 15) take a trip down the coast to Maketu's annual Kaimoana Festival. The event is now in its eighth year and draws in a couple of thousand people for its mix of seafood and music. This year sees performances from veteran Kiwi rock 'n' roller Tom Sharplin, local all-woman group Empress (who used to be the Kougar Sistas) and a rare appearance from one of New Zealand's heritage performers, Rim D Paul. Rim was a member of NZ iconic Quin Tikis in the ‘50s and ‘60s, touring the world with the band. The festival runs from 12pm to 6pm. Tickets are $15.

Full details at www.maketukaimoana.co.nz. watusi@thesun.co.nz

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