Jazzing up the RWC

Queenstown Jazz Festival is teaming up with the Rugby World Cup for a three-day feast of music. 

This year’s jazz bash coincides with the final stages of the sporting spectacular in October, so some events will buddy-up with the already-announced nationwide REAL New Zealand Festival. 

Kiwi chart stars Fat Freddy’s Drop will lead the charge with a gig at the Memorial Hall on October 21. 

“We are still a stand-alone event but have been brought under the umbrella of the REAL NZ Festival for some of the activities,” JazzFest spokesman Luke Baldock says. 

“It means both music and rugby fans will be in for a double treat in Queenstown.” 

As well as having Fat Freddy’s Drop headlining the Mountain Scene Jazz ‘n’ Beats night, the Memorial Hall will also host a tribute concert for three young Queenstown performers on October 22. 

The following day, hot Aussie outfit the Craig Naughton Quartet will lead a musical brunch at Skyline. 

And from October 21-23 a variety of acts will entertain punters at a jazz stage beside Earnslaw Park, including a closing day set from acclaimed British trumpeter and DJ Matthew Halsall – happening on the same day as the RWC final kicks off in Auckland. 

Ticket details for this year’s JazzFest – which features more than 150 acts and runs for five days from October 20 – will be announced next week.

 

source: Mountain Scene