Manly Jazz Festival: Broadcaster James Valentine makes musical comeback after major health scare

Radio broadcaster and erstwhile pop star James Valentine is making his musical comeback, wielding his sax at this weekend’s Manly Jazz festival after battling a life-threatening disease.

ABC broadcaster James Valentine, who had treatment for oesophageal cancer earlier this year, is playing at the Manly Jazz festival. Picture: Instagram

Radio broadcaster and one-time pop star James Valentine is making his musical comeback at this weekend’s Manly Jazz festival after treatment for cancer.

Valentine, who played saxophone in some of Australia’s biggest pop bands, including The Models and Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons, will kick off the annual event with a set of soul jazz on Friday night.

The 62-year-old ABC Sydney announcer will play with his “James Valentine’s Upbeat” ensemble in the Bucketty’s Jazz Garden on The Corso.

His show, featuring musicians Darren Heinrich on organ, Sam Rollings on guitar and Nic Cecile on drums, includes “hard grooving soul jazz” and is on from 5.30-7.30pm.

Valentine’s comeback comes just months after undergoing throat surgery to remove cancer cells from his esophageous.

James Valentine will be playing hard grooving soul jazz” with his band. Picture: ABC iview.

Valentine joins more than 70 acts across four outdoor stages and 15 official venues — watched by up to 100,000 fans — for the 47th running of Australia’s longest running jazz festival.

Locals and visitors are expected to pour into the Sydney seaside suburb during the popular three-day celebration of music beginning on September 20.

Event organisers say this year’s festival, presented by Northern Beaches Council, will feature a “a dynamic and diverse program that celebrates the rich tradition and evolving future of jazz music”.

The 47th Manly Jazz festival is on from September 20-22, 2024. Picture: Supplied

Other performers to play either on the Manly Beachfront Stage, the Sydney Rd Stage or inside St Matthews Anglian Church on The Corso include the Hot Potato Band, Funkophilia, Flashy Dashbacks Organ Trio, Soul Roots Revival Band, Heart and Soul, Blue Rhythm Band, Dan Barnett Big Band and Spyglass Gypsies.

The Hot Potato Band will also run a workshop from 12.30pm – 1.30pm on Sunday for those wanting to be a part of the Jazz Parade that kicks off at 3pm “bringing big vibes and great music” down The Corso.

As many as 100,000 jazz fans could descend on Manly over the weekend. Picture: Chris Harmer

Fans can also look out for emerging talent on the Jazz Stars of the Future Stage outside Manly Town Hall.

Live venues — each with its own unique jazz theme — include 55 North in the Manly Pacific Hotel, Hotel Steyne, The Boathouse at Shelly Beach, The Manly Club, Manly Art Gallery & Museum and Manly Library.

Younger fans will be able to have some musical fun. Picture: Chris Harmer

Festival artistic director Caroline Speight said she was looking forward to sharing the joy and excitement of live jazz with the public.

“Manly Jazz has a longstanding reputation for bringing high quality jazz to the community,” Ms Speight said.

“It’s exciting that the northern beaches community and visitors will gather to enjoy the great art form of jazz in a variety of styles across the weekend.”

Organisers will release the full festival program on August 26.

For more festival info, click here.