Welcome
A warm welcome to our 62nd National Jazz Festival brought to you once again by the Port of Tauranga.
The Tauranga Jazz Society are proud to present the National Jazz Festival and National Youth Jazz Competition. This year the festival fun begins with the National Youth Jazz Competition on 7 to 9 April and continues right through to Easter ending on Monday 21 April with the Jazz at the Mount event.
We are celebrating international artists and New Zealand’s top jazz talent with concerts for every taste! Plus, lots of new events, along with favourites like the Jazz Village and Downtown Carnival.
We welcome the many hundreds of students who perform in the National Youth Jazz Competition, along with all the musicians, locals and visitors who attend the events.
Many thanks to our principal funders, Port of Tauranga, TECT and the Tauranga City Council and all our other sponsors. Without their assistance this event would not be possible.
Enjoy the music!
Jeff Baker
TAURANGA JAZZ SOCIETY PRESIDENT
Kia ora koutou,
What an exciting time for jazz and our city, as we proudly celebrate 62 years of the beloved National Jazz Festival. On behalf of our community, I extend a warm and enthusiastic welcome to all jazz loving visitors, returning and new, to one of Tauranga’s most cherished home-grown traditions.
The 2024 National Jazz Festival will be gracing our city over the Easter weekend. We are looking forward to returning favourites like the Jazz Village at The Historic Village, where the spirit of the New Orleans French Quarter comes alive through music and street dancing; and the Downtown Carnival’s indoor and outdoor entertainment, creating a vibrant festive atmosphere in Tauranga’s city centre.
This festival truly has something for everyone! It not only showcases Aotearoa’s finest jazz musicians in venues across the city, but also nurtures emerging talents through the National Youth Jazz Competition. Nearly 600 young musicians from
across Aotearoa will compete at Baycourt, a great way to see and support our future jazz stars.
Tauranga City Council is immensely proud to support this remarkable event. While you’re here, we encourage you to enjoy the wonderful experiences, beautiful beaches, and great local cuisine that make Tauranga a fantastic destination.
Mahé Drysdale MNZM
MAYOR OF TAURANGA
Festival Team
- Marc Anderson Festival Manager
- Mandy Ryan General Manager
- Liam Ryan National Youth Jazz Competition Manager
- Damian Lunson Website
- Donella Jones Design
Tauranga Jazz Society Committee
- Jeff Baker President
- Wayne Melville Vice President
- Mandy Ryan
- Liam Ryan
- Akash Dutta
- Marc Anderson
- Joanne Melbourne