 About - 2011 The Year That WasStaged in and around Beautiful Bellingen with its pristine river and historic streetscape, from a modest start in 1990, the Bellingen Jazz and Blues Festival is now among the most respected Jazz Festivals in Australia. For 21 years the Festival has become a three day celebration of live music performed by the cream of Australia’s Jazz, Manouche and Blues musicians. The 22nd Festival in 2011 is our most ambitious production to date. In recent years, thanks to Paul Bulanyi, our Manouche Gypsy Swing program has become a very popular part of the program. This year sees more Manouche and other guitar music. We feature 15 of Australia’s leading guitarists playing Slide Blues, Western Swing, Brazilian Choro, Gypsy Swing, Manouche and many styles within the broad Church of Jazz. Watch out for Lucky Oceans and Dave Brewer and Doug de Vries … in fact all of the music in the guitar and Manouche program is not to be missed. The Jazz Program also features young stars from Melbourne (including 2 recent winners of the Wangaratta Jazz Awards: Trumpet star Eamon McNelis and Julien Wilson on Saxophone) along with a special appearance by The Unity Hall Jazz Band from Sydney and Carol Ralph with Ray Aldridge. This year we provide a taste of Brunswick Street, the feel of the Unity Hall Hotel in Balmain, a big night on St Pauls Terrace and a Gospel event in Chicago. In 2011 we showcase the widest array of Jazz styles and more performances from more bands and musicians in more venues than at any previous Bellingen Jazz Festival. Venues include: New Marquee at the Butter Factory, new Cabaret Room layout at the Golf Club, Federal Hotel, Memorial Hall, Tavern, Bellingen Community Markets, The Uniting Church, St Margaret’s Church, The CWA Hall and many Restaurants. The town buzzes with activity and the sounds of Jazz and gypsy swing all over the place, with intimate jams in small venues to the Late Late show groove at the Tavern. For 2011 we introduce “The Jazz Picnic at Gleniffer”. Free Shuttle Buses will run from the Jazz HQ Bellingen Information Centre from 9.30 am. Bring fold-up chairs or a rug, a few BYOs and a picnic lunch or visit the on-site food stalls and enjoy wonderful music on 2 stages in the relaxed and beautiful gardens of Historic Gleniffer Hall … check out the serenity factor. Book early as there is very limited seating in the venues for some of the special performances. In the Marquee at the Butter Factory, the Cabaret Room at the Golf Club, the Tavern and at The Jazz Picnic at Gleniffer, dancing is encouraged and dance floors will be provided . A Swing Dance craze is sweeping the world and our program offers the best possible opportunity to kick up your heels or just stand about and groove. 2011 is a new beginning to a great Festival. We hope you like the line up, the music program, the venues and the changes and that you will join us to make it the best Jazz Festival ever. |