2009 Wangaratta Festival Of Jazz, October 30 - November 2
Four days of Jazz, Blues, Food, Wine and Fun!
Welcome to the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz Homepage
The Wangaratta Festival of Jazz is an annual festival of jazz and blues held in the town of Wangaratta 2.5 hours from Melbourne in North East Victoria, Australia. It has become the premier jazz event in Australia and is renowned internationally.
POST-FESTIVAL NEWS 2008 - MESSAGE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
The 2008 Wangaratta Festival Of Jazz was a resounding success, in every respect. Ticket sales were up on the record set in 2007, and crowds were at an all time high around the Reid Street Community Stage, with estimated attendances over the four days of the Festival exceeding 32,000.
Responses to the program have been overwhelmingly positive, whether from the media, patrons or performers.
The temporary Jazz Marquee set up in Merriwa Park proved to be very popular, both for the beautiful setting under the majestic red gums, and for the increased capacity of the 750-seat venue. Unfortunately it may not be possible to repeat this venue as it was a very expensive exercise to set up - requiring additional one-off funding from Arts Victoria, Tourism Victoria and the Rural City of Wangaratta. Meanwhile, the new location of the Blues Marquee at Apex Park was an unreserved success, and will be retained for 2009 and beyond.
The National Jazz Awards saw first prize awarded to Phil Stack, with second and third prizes going to Ben Waples and Sam Anning, respectively.
A big thank you to all of our sponsors and stakeholders for their ongoing support of the Festival ; to the musicians who gave so many great performances ; to the businesses and community of Wangaratta who always make the thousands of visitors so welcome ; to the Wangaratta Tennis Club, who allowed us to set up the Jazz Marquee on their courts ; and to the hundreds of volunteers who make it possible for the Festival to happen every year.
We can now start planning for the 20th Festival, to run from Friday 30 October - Monday 2 November, 2009.
See you then....
Adrian Jackson
Artistic Director
Since inception in 1990, the festival has grown to include 90 events and over 350 national and international artists performing each year. The Wangaratta Festival of Jazz also hosts the National Jazz Awards, Youth Jazz Workshops, Masterclasses and events throughout Wangaratta and surrounding wine regions.
In 1999 the festival won a National Tourism Award and was inducted into the Victorian Tourism Hall of Fame. In 2000 the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz was elevated to a Victorian Hallmark Event.
The RACV is running an online poll to find Victoria's favourite tourism events and destinations.
We'd love you to vote for the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz!
Just vote online at www.victoria101.com.au
You can go into the monthly draw to win a $1000 travel voucher.
If you like jazz you'll love Wangaratta!
