Every Reason to Jazz It Up This Weekend

THIS weekend's 15th ANNUAL NEWCASTLE JAZZ FESTIVAL features something for everybody.

The festival, which has grown bigger and better every year, will take place over three nights and two days at CLUBNOVA PANTHERS NEWCASTLE. Popular US jazz band THE 10TH AVENUE will be one of the many main attractions at this year's festival.

Originating from California, The 10th Avenue performs a serving of old-style jazz with some new ideas thrown in.

The band is known to play old favourites such as MILENBURG BLUES with a sixties rock feel and RHYTHM KING with a gritty street beat.

The band truly does aim to surprise and delight with its creative musicianship.

The 10th Avenue Jazz Band will be joined by Melbourne's LOUISIANA SHAKERS, Sydney's GEOFF BULL OLYMPIA JAZZ BAND, Adelaides's HOT FOOT SEVEN featuring GAIL KINGSTON and local act MOSTLY HORNS. Other bands appearing at the festival include THE NEW ORLEANS RAMBLERS, JAZZ CAFE, PRESERVATION JAZZ BAND, PORT HUNTER, DIANNIA HEATHER QUARTET and SWEET INSPIRATION. The festival will feature more than 25 live acts on stage in five separate areas of the club.

The festival will kick off at 7pm on Friday and continue from 10am to 1pm on Saturday and 10am and 10pm on Sunday.

Special features of the festival include the FRIDAY WELCOME NIGHT, JAZZ BREAKFAST, SATURDAY NIGHT GALA DANCE and a GOSPEL SERVICE with GAIL KINGSTON. A variety of tickets packages are available for the event, including full weekend passes, day passes and evening passes.

Tickets are available from the club.

Check out www.newcastlejazz.com.au for more details on tickets and performers.