Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival 2006

Bay of Islands will again come alive with the sounds of smooth jazz and sultry blues, as musicians gather from all over New Zealand for the annual Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival.

Venues in Paihia, Russell and Haruru Falls host more than 50 acts and many hours of quality jazz and blues during the three-day event. Catch the street performances in the towns of Kawakawa, Paihia and Russell each morning.

New Zealand Jazz Festival

Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues

The Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival on weekend of 11-13 August is sure to be the highlight event in the region. The jam-packed three-day festival happens every year and features over 50 acts from New Zealand and over the world. Each morning there are street performances to enjoy--one of the traditions of the festival.

This New Zealand jazz festival is spread out over several locations including:

• Paihia Pacific Resort
• Haruru Falls Resort
• Lighthouse Tavern
• Copthorne Hotel and Resort
• Duke of Marlborough Hotel
• Duke of Marlborough Tavern
• Streets of Paihia, Kawakawa and Russell

$40.00 NZD gets you a badge and entry into the Bay of Islands jazz festival for the entire three days, a copy of the programme and access to the shuttle bus between Paihia, Waitangi and Haruru Falls. Badges can be purchased at:

• Bay of Islands Information Centre, Bay of Islands
• Bay of Islands Travel Centre, Bay of Islands
• Wards Music Shop, Whangarei
• All Festival venues

Daily ferries run to the island, extra runs will be added during the Bay of Islands jazz festival.

View information on Bay of Islands accommodation options. For further information about this New Zealand jazz festival, visit the official Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival Web site.

Bay of Islands Jazz Festival Performers

Riverhead Slide - Formed in 1990, this three-piece blues band is a regular at pub gigs and blues festivals. Murray Finer plays bass, Pete Ludlow drums and Steve Wigz is guitarist and vocalist. They have independently produced three CDs and feature lots of slide guitar and Dobro.

Barry Charlies - An exceptional vocalist, Barry has performed at many festivals and events throughout the world.

Wizard & Oz - Andrew Farrell (keys) and David McMillan (strings) have been making music together since 1986.

Mystery Pacific - Based in Brisbane this four-member band play Jazz Manouche otherwise known as Gypsy Swing.