Wellington Jazz Festival to be held from June 5-9, on sale now

“We welcome jazz lovers to Wellington to experience our headline artists at the Michael Fowler Centre, where we will be creating an intimate experience for audiences and artists,” says Creative Director Marnie Karmelita.

Wellington Jazz Festival is on sale now, a chance for audiences to play seriously at this sensational mid-winter event for music lovers, jazz aficionados and intrepid newcomers to explore more than 150 gigs across the city, 5-9 June.

"We welcome jazz lovers to Wellington to experience our headline artists at the Michael Fowler Centre, where we will be creating an intimate experience for audiences and artists," says Creative Director Marnie Karmelita. "The music doesn't stop there; jazz will spill into the streets and take over every corner of the city with classic albums, big brass, Billie Holiday, Beyoncé, classic film and korero."

Featuring some of the finest musicians from across New Zealand and around the globe, this year we are proud to welcome artists from the USA, Norway, Scotland, Australia, France, Canada and Cuba – bringing the sounds and spirit of jazz to the capital's streets, cafes, bars and live music venues.

"We are really stoked to be major contributors to the Wellington Jazz Festival programme this year, with nearly 40 events over the five days," says Damian from music venues Meow and Caroline. "It's the largest international line-up we have ever had, as well as a really exciting bunch of acts from Wellington and New Zealand."

The future of jazz is also in safe hands as students in the New Zealand School of Music Big Band will be working with the extraordinarily talented Ambrose Akinmusire, from the USA, whose powerful music is an active response to societal and racial divides.

"I'm really excited that the big band is getting to play and share the stage with Ambrose Akinmusire during the Jazz Festival this year," says BMus (Hons) studentLily Shaw, who plays the saxophone in the band. "It's an honour to be working with a musician of such high calibre and I'm so grateful to the Wellington Jazz Festival for bringing such a wealth of first-rate musicians to New Zealand."

The Wellington Jazz Festival programme is out on the streets and online at jazzfestival.nz from TODAY.