Shuffle Club
Life in Clarence is about to get a bit jazzy as the Clarence Jazz Festival comes to town kicking off with a 21st birthday celebration on Saturday 18 February 2017.
More than 200 international, national and Tasmanian performers will take to the stage from 18 to 26 February 2017 making this year’s festival the biggest and one to remember.
The birthday party will mix it up with jazz, swing, blues and boogie as Adelaide’s Lucky Seven, Melbourne’s Shuffle Club and Tasmania’s own Yesterday’s Gentlemen take over the lawns at Rosny Farm.
While the festival’s three ambassadors – George Washingmachine, Dan Barnett and Paul Williamson will perform together in The Barn.
The festival also includes free twilight concerts held from Monday to Thursday (20-24 February) and bring together the best local jazz bands and our festival ambassadors playing in parks and waterfront locations in the city. From South Arm to Richmond and Geilston Bay, the free twilight concerts combine beautiful scenery, a picnic atmosphere and great tunes.
The Jazz Lounge at Rosny Barn presents a more intimate and contemporary selection of Australian and international performers. This year’s highlights include Kristin Berardi, one of Australia’s first call jazz vocalists, and Mike Field, Canada’s premier jazz trumpeter known for his upbeat and energetic performances.
The Bellerive Boardwalk comes to life from Friday 24 February with a selection of Tasmania’s emerging talent including our scholarship recipients Jack Lark, Jack Batchelor and Fraser Reynold performing alongside previous scholarship recipients.
“The 21st birthday celebration of the Clarence Jazz Festival aims to be the best yet,” said Festival Convenor, Alderman Heather Chong.
“For nine days Clarence really comes alive with 14 concerts held around the city showcasing a great mix of jazz styles. While audiences will see international and mainland acts, we have always been a proud supporter of fantastic Tasmanian musicians and especially emerging Tassie talent through our unique scholarship program that we offer.
“Apart from a few ticketed events in Rosny Barn, many of the concerts are free and held throughout the city ensuring that the Clarence Jazz Festival continues to be accessible to jazz lovers everywhere.”
Along with performances, the festival also offers an artist in residence program. This year Tom Samek has been commissioned to create the artwork for a limited edition 12’ vinyl record Two Suites that will be available for purchase.
There will also be exhibition of photos, memorabilia and sound bites looking back at the development of the festival over the years in the Schoolhouse Gallery at Rosny Farm.
For more information, tickets and to purchase a copy of the record, visit www.clarenceartsandevents.net
Clarence Jazz Festival at a glance:
Saturday 18 February – 21st birthday party at Rosny Farm, 6-11.30pm. Featuring the Shuffle Club, Lucky 7, and Yesterday’s Gentlemen, festival ambassadors – Paul Williamson, Dan Barnett and George Washingmachine, and many Tasmanian acts.
Sunday 19 February – Twilight concerts, 6-8pm
o Calverton Hall, South Arm – featuring Les Coqs Incroyables, Wendy with Strings Attached
o Geilston Bay Foreshore – featuring Nadira and Friends, Jazz for Cows.
Monday 20 February – Twilight concerts, 6-8pm
o Cambridge school grounds – Billy Whitton Quartet, D7
o Salacia Avenue Reserve, Howrah – Shoreline Jazz Collective, David Sikk Quartet
Tuesday 21 February – Twilight concerts, 6-8pm
o Simmons Park, Lindisfarne – The Moonshines, Dan the Band
o Cremorne Beach Park – Seratones, Gypsy 3 0
Wednesday 22 February
o Twilight concerts, 6-8pm,
Montagu Bay Park – Paul Martin Quartet, Roz Pearson & Deluxe,
The Jazz Lounge at Rosny Barn, 8-10.30pm – Canadian Mike Field, Blues Point
Thursday 23 February
o Twilight concerts, 6-8pm
Richmond Village Green – Harry Edwards Trio, Mouldy Fig
Rosny Farm lawns – Tim Jones and the Big Cheese, Howlin Jim and his Hot Four
o Jazz Lounge, Rosny Farm – Compliments to the Crooners (Melbourne)
Friday 24 February
o Bellerive Boardwalk (6-10pm) – Lagoon Hill Zydeco, Clarence Jazz Festival Scholars, Phat Sparrow with Gillan Gregory
o Rosny Barn (6.30-11pm) – Sedergreen and Allan (Melbourne), Mia Palencia in Good Company with special guest Katy Raucher
Saturday 25 February
o Bellerive Boardwalk, 4-10pm – Spike Mason 4tet, Blues Point (Sydney), The Rugcutters Jass Band, Dr V’s Swing Thing (Sydney), MIQ, Moonlight Aviators
o Jazz Lounge, Rosny Barn, 2-11pm – Judy Garland Tribute, Kristin Berardi (Queensland), Paul Williamson’s Hammond Combo (Melbourne)
Sunday 26 February
o Bellerive Boardwalk, 12-6.30pm – Modern Operative, Elizabeth College Summer School Super Band, Uncle Gus and the Rim Shots, Big Small Band, Ambassadors Grand Finale
o Rosny Barn, 2-4pm – Nina Simone Tribute
Alderman Heather Chong, Festival Convenor
