EXCITED: Jazz festival artistic director, Adrian Jackson, together with festival chairperson, Patti Bulluss, are ready for a big party in October for the 21st Wangaratta Jazz Festival. PHOTOS: Marc Bongers
Written by STEVEN BURKE.
ORGANISERS are getting ready to party hard for the 21st birthday of the Wangaratta Jazz Festival.
The festival’s artistic director, Adrian Jackson, was on hand in Wangaratta to launch the event on Wednesday night.
He said a mixture of new and returning acts helped make organising the festival an enjoyable job.
"It’s not hard really," he said.
"There is always a fresh generation of musicians coming along every year who are keen to be involved.
"Even with the established bands, they always have new projects and different performances."
Headlining this year’s festival is Grammy award winner, Kurt Elling, who first performed at the festival in 1998.
The blues side of the event will also see some quality performers, including Diesel.
"Diesel is probably more widely known for his rock music," Mr Jackson said.
"But his passion is for the blues and he is an extremely talented blues musician."
The festival runs over the Melbourne Cup weekend, from October 29 to November 1.
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