Bask in the warmth of cool jazz

Heralded by jazz aficionados as “the real deal”, the Noosa Jazz Party – now in its 25th year – has hosted the country’s top musicians since its humble beginnings.

What started as a single weekend festival in 1992 has grown to become one of the biggest dates on Australia’s music calendar and a must for classic jazz fans. The 10-day program of live music now attracts thousands of locals and visitors.

The event started as the brainchild of two local bandleaders and jazz aficionados. One of them was Richard Stevens, then working with the late Frank Johnson.

And according to Richard, who is also head of the Noosa Heads Jazz Club, this year’s festival promises to be the most diverse yet.

“We will be featuring more than 30 of Australia’s best jazz players and vocalists, as well as the 70-strong Noosa Chorale and the Australian Jazz Ensemble performing music from the Louis Armstrong era as well as other performances across a host of new venues,” Richard said.

He said one of the main reasons to visit Noosa for the festival is the calibre of Australian jazz performers who will be playing live, including trumpeters Peter Guadion and Geoff Bull, as well as pianist Bob Sedegreen, Brett Iggulden, Ian Smith and vocalist Juliarna Clark.

Starting August 25 there will be daily concerts in restaurants and clubs, and aboard river cruisers – and a free public concert in a waterfront park, to close out the event on September 3.

“But the heart of the festival remains our four nights of ‘Jazz at the J’, featuring six one-hour sets of classic jazz each night, from August 31 to September 3,” Richard said.

There is also a range of accommodation partners offering deals – just mention Noosa Jazz Party when you book. For a list of participating accommodation partners go to the Noosa Jazz Party website.