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100,000 people attend Manly Jazz festival as organisers hail the event a success

Jazz great Rodney Whitaker praises the crowds at Manly, after another successful festival. SEE OUR PHOTO GALLERY HERE.

Swingtime Dance Studio members dance to Blue Rhythm Band music during the Manly Jazz Festival at Manly on Saturday, 5 October, 2019. Picture: Troy Snook.
Swingtime Dance Studio members dance to Blue Rhythm Band music during the Manly Jazz Festival at Manly on Saturday, 5 October, 2019. Picture: Troy Snook.

Around 100,000 people attended the Manly Jazz Festival over the long weekend, according to the event’s artistic director.

Caroline Speight said at one point The Corso was packed with people and every stage had a good crowd throughout the three-day event.

She said the numbers may have been slightly down on the 120,000 expected due to the torrential rain on Saturday morning.

Crowds listen to the Sydney Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra on Saturday, 5 October, 2019. Picture: Troy Snook.
Crowds listen to the Sydney Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra on Saturday, 5 October, 2019. Picture: Troy Snook.

“Crowds were great despite a shaky start with the rain on Saturday,” Ms Speight said.

“But all stages had really great audiences all the time.”

The festival which has been running for 42 years hosted around 1000 musicians.

The event provided everything from traditional New Orleans jazz to funk, Latin, fusion and blues as well as, gospel, swing and roots.

ALL THE PHOTOS FROM MANLY JAZZ FESTIVAL HERE:

Rodney Whitaker was the headline act at the 2019 Manly Jazz.
Rodney Whitaker was the headline act at the 2019 Manly Jazz.

There was also dancing in the streets, with people busting out their swing moves throughout the weekend.

Ms Speight said headline act double bass player Rodney Whitaker, a Professor of Jazz Bass, was blown away with the “appreciative audiences” in Manly.

Whitaker is considered one of the leading performers and teachers of the jazz double bass in the U.S.

Ryan McCourt and Aimee McElroy pose for a photograph with dogs Beau & Bear during the Manly Jazz Festival at Manly on Saturday, 5 October, 2019. Picture: Troy Snook.
Ryan McCourt and Aimee McElroy pose for a photograph with dogs Beau & Bear during the Manly Jazz Festival at Manly on Saturday, 5 October, 2019. Picture: Troy Snook.

It was his ninth visit to Australia.

“He’s a great musician and a lovely gentleman,” Ms Speight said. She added that Mr Whitaker told her that the Manly Jazz festival was one of the best festivals he has played at and the location was incredible.

Another well-regarded musician, American trumpeter Modesto Briseno told the crowd that Australian jazz musicians were on a par with their American counterparts.

“He said Americans and Australians are rebels who just want to have fun,” Ms Speight said.

Some performers have already indicated they want to return next year and Ms Speight has started a list of names for 2020.

“The festival puts Manly on the map,” she said. “It’s a great cultural event.”

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/manly-daily/100000-people-attend-manly-jazz-festival-as-organisers-hail-the-event-a-success/news-story/63b28cd584417aa5eafbd291fb0ef2c5