TICKETS are now on sale for this year’s Generations in Jazz (GIJ), with the nation’s largest youth jazz music weekend boasting an exciting new format designed to meet unprecedented demand from schools and audiences.
More than 5000 emerging musicians from 130 schools across Australia will be Mount Gambier-bound for the May 4 to 6 event, along with international festival heavyweights The Cat Empire and an exciting line-up of local and international acts.
With organisers bracing for the largest crowd in the event’s long history, the traditional Saturday night concert held in the gigantic big top has been split into two separate performances.
Event manager Nethanel Sutton said the back-to-back concerts will entertain student participants followed by the general public to ensure everyone can enjoy a quality jazz experience.
“We have already set national records with undercover seating for 6100 people inside the big top tent, but that still is not big enough,” Mr Sutton said.
“We have reviewed the concert formats to cater for the increased number of student participants, but also to allow visitors and locals the opportunity to experience what is on offer.”
On Saturday May 5, an early concert will run from 6.30-8.30pm for school participants and will feature The Cat Empire along with guest spots from international acts including Afro-Cuban and Flamenco percussionist Nasrine Rahmani from Madrid and Cologne-based trombonist, vocalist and composer Shannon Barnett.
Due to popular demand, a second concert by The Cat Empire starting at 9pm will target the general public and the audience will be encouraged to get up and dance during the later show in a guaranteed party atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the incredible guest artist list continues to grow, with one jazz legend Patti Austin set to deliver her only Australian performance exclusively at GIJ.
The US singer will be joined by the James Morrison Big Band, percussionist Nasrine Rahmani and trombonist Shannon Barnett at the inaugural GIJ Opening Gala Concert on May 4.
GIJ chairman James Morrison has described the new-look program as an exciting bonus for jazz fans.
“For the first time in the history of GIJ, we will open the festival in true style with the GIJ Opening Gala Concert,” Mr Morrison said.
“Patti will bring the house down with the all-star big band playing music from her Grammy award winning album Avant Gershwin.
“On Saturday night we have two concerts from the sensational The Cat Empire, with the second gig having a mosh pit for all of you who want to dance.”
Visitors and locals will also have the opportunity to hear the stars of tomorrow at an evening scholarship adjudication concert at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre on May 3.
The concert will feature the finalists for the James Morrison Jazz Scholarship and GIJ Vocal Scholarship, with some surprise early appearances from the weekend’s biggest stars.
A second adjudication concert will be held at 8.30pm on Saturday night at the Barn Palais, in a separate venue to The Cat Empire performance, while the City of Mount Gambier National Stage Band Awards, ANZ Vocal Ensemble Awards and University of South Australia Jazz Combo Awards will be judged all day Saturday.
“We are really encouraging the local community to come out during the day on Saturday to see more than 350 stage bands and local ensembles performing in 13 different pavilions across the GIJ festival precinct,” Mr Sutton said.
“With bands beginning to roll in from 7am, the Saturday program is packed with an amazing showcase of some of Australia’s best and brightest ‘next generation’ musicians competing for top honours for their respective schools.”
All major winners will be revealed at the GIJ awards ceremony on May 6, which has been scheduled for an earlier 11am timeslot.
The closing ceremony is also open to the public and will include performances from this year’s GIJ superbands and future finalists and James Morrison Scholarship and GIJ Vocal Scholarship winners.
Tickets for Friday to Sunday including weekend passes are now available for purchase online at www.generationsinjazz.com.au or through Chapmans Newsagency.
Tickets for the scholarship adjudication concert held on May 3 are available through the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre Box Office.
