The Port of Tauranga National Jazz Festival is set to delight music lovers in New Zealand from April 1 to April 10, 2023. This year marks the festival’s 60th anniversary, and it promises to be a fantastic event for jazz enthusiasts. The festival will feature a variety of events, including the Sunset Jazz Cruise, Hurricane Party and the two-day Downtown Carnival jazz party.
National Youth Jazz Competition
One of the highlights of the festival is the National Youth Jazz Competition at Baycourt Community & Arts Centre. This competition will showcase some of the best emerging jazz players from across Aotearoa, and it is sure to be an inspiring event for young musicians. The competition has been running for 45 years and continues to promote creativity in the world of jazz music.
A Celebration of Jazz
The festival features world-class jazz concerts at the Baycourt Community and Arts Centre, the three-day National Youth Jazz Competition, the Downtown Carnival jazz party and a sunset jazz cruise.
The festival has something for everyone, with concerts for every taste. The Historic Village’s beloved TECT Jazz Village will transport visitors to the French Quarter of New Orleans through music and dance. The TECT Jazz Village will host a wide variety of acts, and the Mount Maunganui jazz lovers can enjoy Jazz at the Mount, while the Katikati folk can attend the Jazz Street Party. The festival showcases Aotearoa’s top jazz musicians in venues across the city, and it is sure to be a memorable experience for all who attend.
History of the Festival
The Port of Tauranga National Jazz Festival has it’s history, starting with a few intrepid local musicians who hired a hall, and performed the first Tauranga Jazz Festival to a crowd of 1000 on a summer’s day in Memorial Park. Since then, the festival has grown and incorporated the National Youth Jazz Competition, which is now in its 45th year. The festival is an event that has become a staple of the jazz scene in New Zealand.
