GENERATIONS in Jazz will reach a global audience next year as part of Sydney’s International Jazz Day celebrations.
But the unique venue – a massive big top in a paddock on the outskirts of the Blue Lake city – will remain unchanged, according to the festival’s artistic director James Morrison.
“The festival was born in Mount Gambier and has grown for over 30 years to be arguably one of the largest events of its type in the world,” Mr Morrison told The Border Watch.
“This is due in no small part to the people of Mount Gambier supporting young musicians and their education.
“No other place has achieved this, so it is a Mount Gambier event in the truest sense.
“I cannot imagine why it would ever be held anywhere else.”
He made the comments this week after reflecting on the success of Generations in Jazz, held earlier this month.
Mr Morrison welcomed Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell’s call on the State Government to award Generations in Jazz major event status.
As part of a motion to be discussed in June, Mr Bell will call on Premier Steven Marshall to invite prominent arts journalists as his guests to next year’s festival to promote the event.
“I think that would be a major milestone for Generations in Jazz and an official recognition of what it has become,” Mr Morrison said.
“Apart from any possible funding avenues that may be opened by receiving major event status, I feel this level of recognition will also draw more attention to the event and it’s amazing effect on young musicians.”
Next year’s festival will be part of International Jazz Day’s outreach education program.
“International Jazz Day, which will be held in Sydney in 2019, is a global event with a reach exceeding one billion people every year,” Mr Morrison said.
“To have GIJ acknowledged as part of this celebration will expose what’s happening in South Australia to the world in a way that has never happened before.
“We will officially make GIJ part of the outreach education program of Jazz Day and also invite a number of jazz legends who will perform at the Global Concert in Sydney to travel to Mount Gambier for GIJ.”
