THE stars of this week's NEWCASTLE JAZZ FESTIVAL at the Newcastle City Hall will be the 19-piece ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE BIG BAND on Saturday for the GALA JAZZ DANCE. While most people would associate a military band with Sousa marches and light music in the park on a Sunday afternoon, this military band has more in common with the COUNT BASIE or GLEN MILLER orchestras.
Consisting of a rhythm section, eight brass, five saxophones, and a vocalist, the group is one of a only a handful of full-time big bands in Australia.
Under the direction of trombonist FLIGHT SERGEANT DAVID HENRY the Royal Australian Air Force Big Band has gained the reputation of being one of the finest in the country.
The group has supported renowned jazz musicians from around the country, including KERRIE BIDDELL, GEORGE GOLLA, JAMES MORRISON, TOMMY EMMANUEL, RHONDA BIRCHMORE and GORDON BRISKER. As well as boasting many talented soloists the band is led by vocalist STEPHANIE LAMBERT. With its own arrangers and composers the group has been able to develop its own distinct repertoire and sound, while performing the arrangements of BOB FLORENCE and MIKE CROTTY of the AIRMEN OF NOTE, the United States Air Force big band.
The 12th NBN TELEVISION NEWCASTLE JAZZ FESTIVAL begins on Friday night at 7.30pm with a welcome night featuring THE SWING STREET ORCHESTRA, NEW MELBOURNE JAZZ BAND, IAN COOPER and others.
On Saturday morning a jazz breakfast will be held at the City Hall from 11am featuring the New Melbourne Jazz Band.
Late Saturday morning there will be a New Orleans-style street parade featuring the MAGNOLIA BRASS BAND. Jazz continues all day Saturday until 2am the following morning.
On Sunday FRANCINE BELL will lead a moving gospel session from 9.30am. Again on Sunday the jazz will continue all day until 1am the following morning.
Tickets range in price from $60 for full registration to $5 for single events. =4966-1383. TE
FRIDAY
Venue: Newcastle City Hall - Olde Golde Jazz Band (7.30pm) New Melbourne Jazz Band, The Spice Boys (7.30pm), Tailgate Jam (8pm), Graham Coyle & Tom Baker (9.30pm), Ian Cooper Quartet (9.30pm), Maryville Jazz Band (9.30pm), Roaring Horns (10pm), Melange (11.30pm), Tom Baker's Swing Street Orchestra (11.30pm).
SATURDAY Venue: Hunter St Mall/City Hall
The Magnolia Brass Band in the mall (10.30am), Street Parade from the mall to city hall (11am).
Venue: Newcastle City Hall - Toohey's Jazz Breakfast with the New Melbourne Jazz Band (8.30am), Little Toot Jazz Band (11am), Ian Cooper Quartet (11.30am), Port Hunter Jazz Band (11.30am), Tom Baker's Swing Street Orchestra (12pm), Fish Fry (12pm), Anita Thomas Quintet (1pm), Clare Hanssen Trio (1.30pm), Graham Coyle Piano Solo (1.30pm), Spice Boys (2pm), Tailgate Jam (2pm), Geoff Bull's Olympia Jazz Band (2.30pm), Fiddlemaniacs (3pm), Steve Jewell Piano Solo (3.30pm), Andy Jenner Quartet (4pm), Graham Coyle Piano Solo (4pm), Bandemonium (4pm), George Washing Machine's Sweet Atmosphere (4.30pm), New Orleans Ramblers (4.30pm), Preservation Jazz Band (5pm), Maryville Jazz Band (6pm), Graham Coyle & Chris Taperell (6.30pm), Banjo Jam (6.30pm), Steve Jewell & Rachel Hamilton (7pm), Gala Dance with the RAAF Big Band and the New Melbourne Jazz Band (7pm), Anita Thomas Quintet (7.30pm), Jazz Festival All Stars (8pm), Clare Hanssen Trio (8pm), New Orleans Funeral (8.30pm), Graham Coyle's History of Jazz Piano (9pm), Port Hunter Jazz Band (9.30pm), Fish Fry (9.30pm), Geoff Bull's Olympia Jazz Band (10pm), George Washing Machine's Sweet Atmosphere (10pm), Andy Jenner Quartet (11.30pm), Tom Baker's Swing Street Orchestra (12am), Olde Golde Jazz Band (12am).
SUNDAY Venue: Newcastle City Hall - Jazz Gospel with Francine Bell and Jazz Serenade (9.30am), Paul Baker's Banjo Kings (10.30am), Clare Hanssen Piano Solo (10.30am), George Washing Machine's Sweet Atmosphere (11am), The Hunter School of Performing Arts Stage Band (11am), The New Melbourne Jazz Band (11.30am), Graham Coyle Piano Song (12.30pm), Geoff Bull's Olympia Jazz Band (12.30pm), Steve Jewell (12.30pm), Ian Cooper Quartet (1pm), Big Band Beat (1pm), Tom Baker's Swing St Orchestra (1pm), High Five Jazz Vocal (1.30pm), Steve Jewell Piano Solo (2.30pm), Matt Baker Trio (2.30pm), Clare Hanssen with Lorraine Silk and Craig Scott (3pm), Jazz Festival All-Stars (3pm), Little Toot Jazz Band (3pm), Fiddle Maniacs (3.30pm), New Orleans Ramblers (4pm), Melange (4pm), Geoff Bull's Olympia Jazz Band (4pm), High Five Jazz Vocal (4.30pm), Paul Baker's Banjo Kings (5pm), Ian Cooper Quartet (5.30pm), The New Melbourne Jazz Band (6pm), Matt Baker Trio (6pm), George Washing Machine's Sweet Atmosphere (7pm), Graham Coyle, Tom Baker & Friends (7.30pm), Clare & Friends (8pm), Preservation Jazz Band (9.30pm), Roaring Horns (10pm), Tom Baker's Swing Street Orchestra (11pm).
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