Jazzing up the city

BALLARAT will come alive with the sounds and colours of jazz, between Christmas and New Year, when as many as 1000 musicians and delegates and anyone interested in jazz, hits the city for the 73rd Australian Jazz Convention.

Lovers of jazz can participate, listen or simply enjoy the many components of the convention, including the programmed performances, piano recitals, a free public concert, street parade and workshops.

There will be over 140 bands playing a wide spectrum of jazz styles in seven official venues from 27 to 31 December.

The event’s first day includes street parade in the Bridge Mall at 10.30am, as well as free evening public concert at Alfred Deakin Place from 6-9pm, featuring three prominent Australian jazz bands.

For the first time in many years, a Gospel Jazz Service will held in the Anglican Church on Sunday, 30 December at 5pm. This will be one of the many highlights, as the origins of Gospel Jazz originated in American churches over 100 years ago.

Eight prominent Australian pianists will present piano recitals at the Art Gallery of Ballarat 28 and 29 December. They will play famous tunes with interesting interpretations from the masters, including Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Waller, Bill Evans and Oscar Peterson.

There are seven official venues mainly in the Ballarat CBD Lydiard Street precinct. The historic Ballarat streetscape with its marvellous architecture, fits perfectly for New Orleans style jazz.

The convention also provides a platform to learn more about jazz and how to get involved and for emerging jazz musicians to gain experience in performing to an audience.

Single or multiple day passes can be purchased for $40 per day at hermaj.com or at the convention. A day pass entitles you to attend any performance, in the official venues on the nominated day pass date.

An official program of events will be available from the AJC website at 2018jazzconvention.org.au.