Queenstown Jazz Festival - 26 October 2008

[Richard]

Hello everybody!

Here's an interesting Press Release: www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0809/S00086.htm

Iconic Queenstown jazz festival celebrates 30th anniversary



Media Release from ASB JazzFest Queenstown
5 September 2008

Iconic Queenstown jazz festival celebrates 30th anniversary

An iconic Queenstown jazz festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary with an exhilarating ten-day programme of live music and a star-studded line up of performers.

From 18 to 27 October more than 50 bands and 200 performers will inspire and entertain at the ASB JazzFest Queenstown with a programme of 80 free events and ticketed headline concerts in ‘God’s Amphitheatre’. Haunting blues, big band swing, vibrant Latin sounds, Dixie bands, and jazz-influenced dance music are just a few of the international jazz styles that will be showcased around the region.

The star-studded line up includes Kiwi favourites Tim Beveridge and the Candy Lane Dancers, multi-talented singer-songwriter Anika Moa, violin virtuoso Fiona Pears, the Frank Gibson Quartet featuring New Zealand’s foremost drummer, Lewis McCallum, one of the country’s most versatile and exciting saxophonists, jazz fusion group Subject2Change, uptown blues specialists King Leo and The Growling Dogs and many, many others.

Festival Music Director Harvey Maguire said the festival had much to celebrate after humble beginnings thirty years ago when he and a group of dedicated musicians first got together in the now defunct O’Connells Hotel’s Cellar Inn for two days of music over Labour weekend.

“Now we aim to encourage, involve, entertain and inspire with a range of performances from superbly talented musicians representing a variety of jazz-influenced styles,” he said.

“For the purists there are plenty of ‘traditional’ jazz performances, but for our younger audience we’ve grown and evolved events like the Groove Beatz Dance Party, featuring Lewis McCallum and New Zealand’s leading DJ Chris Cox. If it’s anything like last year, it will go off.”

Mr Maguire said another highlight of the festival was the AJ Hackett Bungy JumpStart competition, which gives talented young musicians from around the country the chance to gain exposure and help kick start their careers.

Open to anyone aged between 14 and 20, finalists will be selected from an initial audition round via DVD or web upload submissions, then invited to participate in a live performance in front of a judging panel and audience in Queenstown on 19 October.

Throughout the ASB JazzFest Queenstown, free daily performances will be held on a specially constructed stage on Queenstown’s central Village Green, and free gigs will be held throughout the district at hotels, bars and restaurants, culminating in ‘Jazz in the Vines’ performances in Gibbston Valley on the final afternoon (Monday 27 October).

Tickets go on sale in mid September and can be purchased online through www.asbjazzfest.co.nz, any Queenstown booking office or hotel reception.

ENDS

Fiona has two concerts on Sunday 26th October 2008:-

Skyline JazzFest Sunday Brunch: www.asbjazzfest.co.nz/ticketed-event.php?id=281

JazzFest Finale: www.asbjazzfest.co.nz/ticketed-event.php?id=284

Richard

[Richard]

Here's another Press Release: www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0810/S00076.htm

Queenstown's all jazzed up for Labour Weekend Sunday

Wednesday, 8 October 2008, 11:38 am
Media Release from ASB JazzFest Queenstown

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Fiona Pears

Fresh from performances at London’s Ronnie Scott’s and The Palladium, New Zealand violin virtuoso Fiona Pears will be headlining at two special ASB JazzFest Queenstown concerts this Labour Weekend.

From 11am on Sunday 26 October, Ms Pears will take locals and visitors to new heights with her amazing mix of Celtic, gypsy, Latin and classical jazz at the top of the Gondola in the iconic Skyline complex. The Skyline JazzFest Sunday Brunch will be held at the Skyline Restaurant and the $44 ticket will include a full sumptuous buffet brunch and return Gondola Ride.

The same night she will be celebrating the festival’s 30th anniversary in style at the JazzFest Finale, performing alongside uptown blues maestros King Leo and the Growling Dogs, Melbourne’s jazz groove gurus the Michael Story Trio, Latino and groove jazz fusion ensemble ‘Subject2change’, and the Frank Gibson Trio featuring New Zealand’s foremost drummer, plus some special guests.

ASB JazzFest Queenstown director Harvey Maguire promises the finale concert, to be held at the Queenstown Memorial Hall, will be a night to remember.

“Reaching the 30th anniversary of the jazz festival is a real landmark. The Finale will be a music extravaganza with a compelling, highly infectious range of styles guaranteed to get everyone on their feet. It’s a rare chance to see such a wealth of talent on one stage.

“We’re very excited about the line-up of performers, particularly Fiona Pears and her highly acclaimed band who are outstanding, passionate performers.”

Now based in London, Christchurch-born Fiona Pears has risen to fame as an international soloist and recording artist, performing at concert halls around the world and recording for EMI and Universal Records. She has also opened for world-renowned artists such as Tony Bennett, Ottmar Liebert and the late Victor Borge, as well as recording for New Zealand artists including Bic Runga and Hayley Westenra.

Festival tickets can be purchased online through www.asbjazzfest.co.nz, by calling TicketDirect on 03 450 9110 or 0800 224 224, or at the Queenstown i-Site (corner of Shotover and Camp streets).

ENDS

SKYLINE JAZZFEST SUNDAY BRUNCH FACT FILE
26 Oct 2008, 11am – 2pm
Skyline Restaurant
$44, includes full sumptuous brunch

JAZZFEST FINALE – CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF JAZZ
26 Oct 2008, 7.30pm – midnight[/size]
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Richard

[Richard]

Here's an interview from the Otago Daily Times.

Pears living a dream

By Shane Gilchrist on Fri, 17 Oct 2008
News: Queenstown Lakes



It is the 30th anniversary of the Queenstown Jazz Festival, which begins today. Among the performers is Fiona Pears, who will headline not one but two concerts next weekend. Shane Gilchrist asks the New Zealand violin virtuoso a few questions.

Q: Can you explain the format for your forthcoming concerts at the Queenstown Jazz Festival? Will you be performing with a band? If so, who? And what sort of repertoire can audiences expect?

A: I am performing with my fantastic New Zealand band. Even though I recorded my latest CD with the City of Prague Philharmonic I also used my Kiwi band on it as I love the sound of the band.

I have Ian Tilley on piano, Tyson Smith on guitar, Pete Fleming on double bass and Greg Donaldson on drums.

Having worked with musicians from all around the world I believe that some of the best are based here in the South Island . . .

We will be performing a mixture of music, ranging from some almost classical tunes through to tangos, Celtic styles, gypsy jazz and Latin music.

Q: Is it important to you not to be "branded" as playing only a certain style of music? Has it been difficult to do that, given music marketers often prefer to put people in a box?

A: I think that "not being boxed" is very important to me. What I find is that people who come to my concerts come because of the mix of music . . .

Some people love the fast flashy gypsy tunes but others love the Celtic ballads and the classical overtones in the music.

I never want to be put in a box, as I believe that everyone develops and changes musically over many years. I am a very different performer and musician now to what I was five years ago.

In another five years something will change again.

I have to be honest and say that when people ask me what style of music I play I have a bit of a hard time explaining to them.

It is never a short answer.

Q: Can you list a few recent highlights of your career? Have there been times when you've had to pinch yourself? Or are you someone who just takes things in their stride?

A: I have had some amazing pinch-me moments.

Playing at Ronnie Scott's earlier this year was amazing as I had been there to listen to Nigel Kennedy and Roby Lakatos before and could not believe that I was on the same stage. . .

Performing with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra was also a highlight as I was performing my own compositions with them.

I do think that I am so lucky to be doing what I love, so every time . . . people turn up to hear me I have a bit of a pinch-me moment.

• Fiona Pears performs at the Skyline Restaurant, Queenstown, at 11am on Sunday, October 26. That night she will perform alongside King Leo and the Growling Dogs, the Michael Story Trio, Latino, Subject2change and the Frank Gibson Trio at Queenstown Memorial Hall.

Richard