Registration Now Open for Adelaide Festival Centre's 2017 State of Jazz

Attention all jazz aficionados!

State of Jazz will promote live jazz performances and activities right across South Australia between 16 April and 7 May 2017 in the weeks surrounding UNESCO's International Jazz Day, which falls on April 30 each year.

Whether it be a hard-swinging big brass band concert in a major music venue, an intimate cool-jazz set in a cocktail bar or winery in regional SA, or a jazz talk or study session - if the topic is jazz, State of Jazz wants to know about it!

State of Jazz will focus public attention on South Australian jazz, strengthening Adelaide's standing as a UNESCO City of Music.Encouraging a jazz takeover of Adelaide and its regional areas, State of Jazz aims to increase audience, musician, venue, and media engagement with this vital international art form. UNESCO has identified jazz as having a diplomatic role uniting people in all corners of the globe.

Modelled on the highly successful Guitars in Bars program piloted with the 2016 Adelaide Guitar Festival, State of Jazz will promote registered events through a state-wide marketing campaign, associated with International Jazz Day celebrations and Adelaide Festival Centre's inaugural International Jazz Day Gala, featuring James Morrison, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and more.

Registration is free and is now open to musicians, venues, teachers, and anyone interested in organising a live jazz event between 16 April and 7 May in metropolitan or regional South Australia. Registrations close 2 April 2017.

The Office of Adelaide UNESCO City of Music and Adelaide Festival Centre, in collaboration with Artistic Director and virtuoso jazz figurehead James Morrison, present State of Jazz as one in a series of new, annual jazz celebrations building Adelaide's participation in global International Jazz Day events.

Adding to the State's growing calendar of music events, the International Jazz Day Gala unites the very best of local and international jazz talent in the Festival Theatre on Sunday 30 April. The International Jazz Day Gala will feature the world premiere of a new jazz concerto by Grammy Award winning composer and band leader Gordon Goodwin, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, renowned performer James Morrison, as well as a host of other soloists.

The concert will also showcase students from the James Morrison Academy in Mt Gambier and from the Julliard School of Music in New York as they combine to form the James Morrison Academy Jazz Ensemble.

The jazz celebrations continue with Generations in Jazz taking place in Mt Gambier from 5-7 May. This annual event brings together thousands of young jazz musicians to showcase their talents, transforming the region into a hub of jazz inspiration and education.

Arts Minister Jack Snelling says, "Make no mistake about it, SA is living up to its name as the Festival State. The addition of the Jazz Day Gala is just another example of why SA is the place to be for live music and the Arts."

James Morrison says, "It is such a thrill to celebrate International Jazz Day with so many greats of jazz... and where better to do it than in South Australia."

Adelaide Festival Centre CEO and Artistic Director Douglas Gautier says, "State of Jazz is a great opportunity for us to support talented musicians across South Australia and to celebrate the wonderful sounds and heritage of jazz ahead of International Jazz Day.

"Initiatives like this are made possible by Adelaide's designation as a UNESCO City of Music and enhance Adelaide's reputation as a centre of culture and creativity. The more our cultural reputation grows, the more events and artists we can draw to Adelaide which provides world class entertainment for South Australians to enjoy and also makes Adelaide an attractive destination for visitors, international students and investors which is growing our economy and creating jobs."

To register a live jazz event between 16 April and 7 May for State of Jazz, go to adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/shows/state-of-jazz - Registrations close 2 April 2017.

For more information about International Jazz Day, including videos of previous years' celebrations, please visit jazzday.com

Tickets for the International Jazz Day Gala are on sale now. For details visit adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au

To post a comment, you must register and login.