Devonport Jazz is set to inject a serious case of jazz fever into North-West Tasmania from July 26-29 when some of Australia’s best jazz musicians take to the stage.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The festival features award-winning a cappella sextet Skety, direct from the Czech Republic.
Described as the future of a cappella groups, Skety are a fresh and contemporary spin on traditional jazz vocals.
Aside from their headline show, audiences can get up close with Skety during a vocal workshop on Saturday, July 28 where they will learn how to use their voice in polyphony, beatbox and live looping.
Other highlights include quirky Melbourne duo Lily and King, Sydney crooner Gregg Arthur with his smooth vocal style reminiscent of Frank Sinatra, and the ultimate 1930’s party band The Furbelows.
Devonport Jazz will also welcome The Hobart Jazz Quartet to the festival, led by 2017 Australian Jazz Hall of Fame inductee Ted Vining and playing the music of John Lewis and the Modern Jazz Quartet.
The popular blues component returns to Devonport Jazz and includes performances from Billy Whitton and the Men of Steel, Chester Draws and the Lowboys with their old school toe tappin’, chicken pickin’ jazzed up blues and local favourite Jacob Boote and The Ornery Horns.
Devonport Jazz will also feature community events such as Street Eats and the Providore Place Sunday Market where food and artisan products will be the main course with a side of jazz performance.
Devonport Jazz festival producer Maree Brodzinski said that there will be some wonderful free and low cost events on the program so there’s no excuse not to get involved.
“Street Eats will provide a wonderful array of food trucks to feed everyone while they soak up the sounds of jazz and blues performers and everyone is encouraged to join in the street parade with the local brass band and carry lanterns to open the festival,” she said.
“On the Saturday morning Musos in the Mall will feature the Ross Challander Big Band and Swing Mania giving swing lessons and on the Sunday we’re working with Providore Place Market to hold a vinyl swap meet where everyone can check out old jazz records and add to their collection.
“There’s even a children’s instrument “petting zoo” which will allow kids to pick up an instrument and give it a go – that should be heaps of fun.”
For more information go to devonportjazz.com or call Devonport City Council on 64240511.