Manly Jazz: Australia’s longest running jazz festival kicks off again this weekend
More than 100,000 jazz fans are expected to descend on a Sydney seaside suburb this weekend for some “toe-tapping, finger-snapping” fun. Here are the best pictures from the past 23 years.
Manly
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It’s been described as “three days of toe-tapping, finger-snapping, and soul-stirring melodies that will transport you to a world of musical magic”.
And it’s all free.
That’s the boast for this year’s Manly Jazz, the popular annual musical festival that will take over the tourist destination’s seafront beginning this Friday.
More than 50 acts have been booked to perform across four stages and local venues during the event that’s expected to attract about 100,000 music lovers to the northern beaches.
The weather is also forecast to cool down with daytime temperatures expected to hover just under 20 degrees with a 20 per cent chance of a little rain.
Fans will have a number of vantage points to choose from to dive onto the festival atmosphere.
Stages are being set up on the Manly Beachfront, Sydney Rd, Manly Town Hall forecourt, St Matthews Anglican Church, Manly Library and Manly Art Gallery. There also be a host of roving performers wandering along The Corso, laneways and around Manly Wharf.
A dozen of Manly’s bars, pubs and eateries are official music venues for the festival, now in its 46th year, are using it to help them kickstart a busy tourist season. Each venue will have its own unique jazz atmosphere and theme.
The Boathouse Group, for example, is hosting live jazz performances at Shelly Beach in the afternoons and has organised a “Negroni Week” menu at its Manly Pavilion and Shelly Beach eateries.
Other venues include The manly Club; the Manly Pacific hotel’s 55 Club; Ivanhoe Hotel; InSitu, Harbord Diggers and Hotel Steyne.
Even Warringah mall at Brookvale is getting into the festival spirit with local school bands playing at the food court stage and various other locations around the mall during late night shopping on Thursday.
Northern Beaches Mayor, Sue Heins is urging visitors and locals, who haven’t made plans for the weekend, to head down to Manly.
“Swing by the Corso and stroll along our streets while enjoying some of the very best jazz music Australia has to offer,” Mayor Heins said.
“This year’s line-up features more than 50 artists from big brass bands to roving performers, emerging artists, blues inspired musicians and local school bands for one great weekend of live music.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to also support local businesses with 12 official venues hosting immersive experiences over the weekend.”
Some of the headline acts include House of Bop, a group of modern jazz musicians who will pay tribute to saxophonist, the late Andrew Speight, widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz improvisers and educators. The group will be playing a repertoire they shared with Andrew over the years.
The Big Ol' Bus Band, formed in Nashville, Tennessee, but now made up of some of Australia’s top jazz musician will be a highlight.
Blaine Whitaker, an Australian saxophonist who has played and with James Morrison’s touring band for almost 10 years will be on the Sydney Rd stage.
For more information on the festival, including a program and event map, click here.
CHECK OUT THE 80+ HISTORIC MANLY DAILY PHOTOS BACK TO THE YEAR 2000 FROM THE MANLY JAZZ FESTIVAL AND SPOT YOURSELF IN THE CROWDS
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