Each year over Easter weekend, the streets of Tauranga come alive with the sound of jazz. Smooth, soulful, lively… it’s a sound hard to describe in words but is brought to life during the National Jazz Festival.
Home-grown in Tauranga, the festival is truly a highlight in the city’s calendar of events. TECT was delighted to continue it's 11-year partnership with the Tauranga Jazz Society, with a grant of $65,000 ensuring an exciting mix of events would wow Western Bay residents and visitors from around the country.
Popular Programme of Events
The event-packed weekend brings with it much anticipation and excitement, with over 30,000 people converging upon the city to enjoy the programme of world-class musicians, sunset cruises, dancing parties, the popular Downtown Carnival and much more.
This year, the Downtown Carnival saw The Strand packed with people enjoying the sun and sounds in colourful costumes and dancing shoes on. Soulful chart-topping songstress Hollie Smith was another show not to be missed, presenting a unique one-off jazz inspired concert playing contemporary, traditional and original songs with her band of leading musicians.
TECT Funding Instrumental
Festival General Manager Mandy Ryan says the Tauranga Jazz Society are grateful for TECT’s support in helping them grow the event and provide a new mix of events.
“TECT’s grants have been instrumental to helping us grow the festival and provide an experience like no-other in New Zealand. From the calibre of artists invited to perform to the amount of large-scale community activities on offer, it’s all an immediate result of TECT’s support.
“TECT’s support also helped us grow the National Youth Jazz Competition, which was held two weeks ahead of the main festival. We had 329 entrants this year from 20 secondary schools, all of whom had the chance to showcase their skills – they make it look easy, but it’s a dedication like no other to play jazz! It’s fantastic to see the future of jazz in our community and New Zealand.”
To learn more about the National Jazz Festival, and to keep in the loop about upcoming jazz events, visit https://jazz.org.nz/.
