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Historic Village is very much alive with the sound of jazz today as crowds make the most of the fine weather and enjoyed the sounds of the last day of this year's National Jazz Festival.

From 10am the swinging sounds of Tauranga's own New Orleans Jazz Quarter got underway with six different zones of music and entertainment, scattered around the village on 17th Avenue.

Jazz Festival goers enjoy the sights and stilted men at the Historic Village.

Bay Dixie doing their thing! Photo Bruce Barnard.

On the Pacific Toyota Outdoor Stage the Kelly Ballard and Dee DeLuca quartets kept lunchtime listeners entertained, while Rhythm Place and Tom Rodwell entertained at the Preservation Hall.

The BBC and Friends were the village's staple today, keeping the groove at the New Orleans Music Factory, while Killer B3 Documentary and Alan Barlow Trio played the House of Hammond.

For acoustic jazz, attendees only had to stroll to the Lafayette Church to catch Adams and Gavin and later local musician Marg Harper.

Jazz Festival organiser Becks Chambers says the mood at the village is evolving with the music.

'We have had lots of different crowds. When local artist Stevie De Luca was playing everyone was just chilling on the grass, and then all of a sudden Solid Blue started their blues set and everyone got up dancing.

'We have a family fun zone so the kids are having a good time, and we have got the House of Hammond where Alan Brown is playing the organ, and that has been packed all day.”

Crowds downtown Tauranga during the Jazz Festival on Saturday.

Today's fine weather was a big turnaround from Friday and Saturday's wet conditions that cut short many acts on the downtown Tauranga stages.

Becks says although heavy rain didn't stop crowds, many of whom danced in the rain, it did make playing conditions unsafe for musicians, especially on the Edgewater Fan stage where there was little shelter.

'All the Strand stages people danced in the rain in their brollies, or went in the bars.

'But considering the heavy rain we were really pleased we didn't cancel anything. When you saw the torrential rain on Thursday it would have been easy to make that call but we didn't – we were going to plough through rain or shine – we want to give the 500 or so musicians the opportunity to play if they wanted to.”

Despite the weather an estimated 15,000 – 20,000 people attending performances in downtown Tauranga. At Historic Village Becks says about 3000 attended yesterday, and it is looking like another 3000 today.

'It's hard to tell because we haven't done the gate sales yet (for today). The concerts have been really good, both shows at Baycourt sold out.”

A highlight for Becks was the National Youth Jazz Competition on Friday and Saturday. The annual competition attracts 230 students from schools across NZ.

'It was great to see some talent coming through.”

This year Big Bands from Tauranga Girls' College and Boys' College both received a Gold rating, with the overall win going to Pukekohe High Stage Band. Tauranga singer Lelani Taula was named most outstanding vocalist.

'We were really proud of her as she has fostered the other children, and is heading away to university next year, so it's great she can end on such a high note.”

Festivities at Historic Village continue through until 5pm today.

'Looking back we are rapt everyone came out and enjoyed themselves,” says Becks.

Xavier and Lyla Turner, from Auckland, dance away at the Historic Village. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

Aegis Private Security Ltd, smiling and helpful all weekend. Photo Bruce Barnard.