Organisers have paid a special tribute to locals for their outstanding support of this year’s Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival.
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Festival chairman Paul Squires said Saturday was especially “sensational” as large crowds turned out in the spring sunshine.
Just a few weeks ago the possibility of the event having to be delayed or cancelled was on the cards as Wangaratta braced itself for surging floodwaters.
Mr Squires said that had led to a mammoth, last-minute rescheduling to ensure the 27th event indeed went ahead.
“Thanks to everyone for getting behind it. We won’t have got everything right this year but we’re looking forward to making it even better next year for its 28th year,” he said. The festival has been in a transition phase over the past two years, in part due to the loss of federal government funding.”
To help with the festival’s sustainability and to ensure long-time support into the future, a special “locals pass” was introduced this year. The strategy – backed by Wangaratta Council – had been especially successful, as evidenced by the numbers who took these up and in turn filled the city’s streets and event venues.
Yet again the festival program was full of some of the biggest names and most notable up-and-comers of jazz and blues.
The international contingent included Mississippi Diva, JJ Thames, Chilean native and saxophonist Melissa Aldana, and contemporary jazz exponents the Ronan Guilfoyle Trio.
The Australian line-up featured legendary jazz maestro James Morrison, the Pierce Brothers, ARIA award-winning pianist Barney McAll and veteran blues soloist Geoff Achison.
Mr Squires said all the artists involved in this year’s festival had done all they could to ensure the re-scheduling of venues and times did not detract from standout performances for the ever-loyal local, national and international audience.
“I’ve been washing dishes back stage in the green room and the blues stage,” he said.
Mr Squires said this had revealed to him just how loyal the performers were to the festival, illustrating the event’s high standing among musicians.
He said they saw Wangaratta as “very important” and that it was a “great honour” to be invited to take part in the festival.