Newsletter

Only a few days left and the excitement is mounting!

Posted on by ToBe Announced

6 June 2023

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR EARLYBIRD TICKET DRAW WINNERS!

Adele McCormack has won a free pass for next year’s Merimbula Jazz Festival … AND a $100 voucher for Wheelers Restaurant! Congratulations also to Linda Wiese who has won a free pass for the 42nd Merimbula Jazz Festival! Thank you loyal Jazz Lovers! And special thanks to the lovely Jacqui at Wheelers

 

ALLOW EXTRA TIME FOR TRAFFIC AND PARKING THIS WEEKEND

Our wonderful sponsors Club Sapphire have started carpark maintenance. This means 1/ bands won’t be able to load in directly via the Auditorium and 2/ there’s not as much parking out the back. Plan accordingly.

Our lovely council have started improving Arthur Kaine Drive between Pambula and the Airport. 40 kmph speed limit in place. If you are travelling between Merimbula and Wheelers, Longstocking Brewery or Pambula, please allow extra travel time so you don’t miss out on anything good.

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2023 WINDOW DRESSING COMPETITION WINNERS!

1st Prize: Coast Country Merimbula

2nd Prize: Koko Maia

3rd Equal: Just As You Are. Lifestyle and Boardwalk Fashions

Thanks for making Merimbula sing jazz – and that’s before the Festival’s even begun! 🎶  “It takes a village”. We’re so lucky to have the support of so many wonderful people and businesses in our community!

Huge music line up and an official festival opening to honour the last 40 years!

Posted on by ToBe Announced

23 April 2023

With 520 musicians and 103 bands attending this year, the Merimbula Jazz Festival has definitely recovered from COVID!

This year’s theme is Moving Forward, but we can’t do that without honouring the past.  Be at Spencer Park on Saturday morning from 10am-11am for the Official Festival Opening where we pay tribute to musicians, venues, committees, volunteers and supporters from the last 40 years. Enjoy the historic car display, live music and more!

MainstreamTrad/Ragtime/New OrleansModern/FunkBig BandsBlues, Smooth, Jazz Pop, Other
Animated with AnnieBanjo and the BoysAdrian Rodden BandBairnsdale SC Swing Band20 Key Players
Anita Harris and FriendsBarry Hanley & Riviera Jazz BandAnnaliesa Rose & The BudsBlamey Street Big BandAnnie Smith with Double Take
Anne Syer's S'WonderfulCapt Bobs Station House RamblersCul De SacCampbell High School Senior BandBlue Tango
Anyone For TenorsCarolyn Packer DuoEmma Sidney Urban JazzCanberra Grammar Jazz BandEmile Barnes Memorial Jazz Orchestra
ARQDave Rebec Tribute BandGary and Sandra France & FriendsConnexion Big BandEuphonics
AxolotlDelta JazzHawker College BandDickson College Jazz BandGospel 11
BassixDown South Jazz BandIn2DeepEast Gippsland Brass Big BandJD Band
BRM CollectiveEasystreetLee Jones (solo jazz guitar)In Full SwingKeith Chappell Solo Guitar
Chet MakerLeanne SuffernRoger Clark QuintetMusic Shed Big Band ComboMike Tovey's Mighty Five (plus 2)
Chris Johnstone / Dan Junor QuartetNew Orleans Dance OrchestraRon Anderson TrioRAN Band Sydney Big BandMiss Beverley"s Rhythm Method
Christine Manetta’s Culture ComboNot Quite Right (NQR)Rory Clark QuartetSonus Big BandSilhouette Jazz and Blues Ensemble
EdGYJOPianjo JamSarah Maclaine's Jazz 'n' ChampagneSpectrum Big BandSimon's Solo Skiffle Band
Forestville TrioPorterhouseSt John Paull II CollegeSydney Youth Jazz OrchestraSqueak & Squawk Dynamic Orchestra
Groovin' with The HatRed Pepper Jazz BandStillwater TrioThe King’s School Senior Stage BandThird Avenue
Ivory and BoneRobbie Mann Piano SoloTembtanglementtraXion Big Band
Jan and TonicSouth Dereel City StompersThe TelepatheticsTwilight Jazz
Jennifer Salisbury & Mark MorandSouth Sea StompersTwo Way Traffic
Jewell/Johnson DuoThe GloombustersUncle Doss
Leisa and the Keen KatsTony T's Rhythm Kings
Monkering : Inspired by Carmen Sings MonkWhisky 'n Ice
MSBB Jazz EnsembleWonderdogs
OctavisZackerbilks
RetroBeats
Sapphire Coast Anglican College Jazz Band
Tea4Two
Terry Is His Name
The Diminished 7
The J & B Troubadours
The Jazz Workshoppers
The Mann Johnson Dirigible
The Odd Couple
Well Versed Duo
Young JazzWorkshoppers

 

Tickets now on sale via Humanitix!

Posted on by Secretary

16 February 2023

The Merimbula Jazz Festival puts money back into our local community via our local Lions and Rotary groups. We also help the Merimbula Jazz Club so that they can continue to bring live jazz to our region throughout the year. We love to pay it forward, so when it came time to choose an online ticketing partner, there was really only one option: Humanitix.

Sure, Humanitix have some booking fees, but 100% of those profits go directly towards funding education projects for the world’s most disadvantaged children. To date they have given over $2million towards closing the global education gap!

Buy a ticket, do some good and get an awesome live music experience!


Registrations Are Now Open!

Posted on by Secretary

Merry Christmas everyone! Santa has brought a newly invigorated committee. Dates for the 41st Merimbula Jazz Festival are June 9-12, 2023 and registrations are now open!

This wonderful festival is fully run by volunteers. The passing of Kevin Walsh, Aileen Walsh and Christopher Nicholls in 2022 left a serious hole in the committee and in our hearts. Hats off to the entire previous committee for continuing in their absence. Ian Battersby and Adrian Pitt have stepped down after tireless work over countless years. John Aubrey and Paul Dion have stepped down from the Executive but remain on the committee. The words thank you cannot convey the huge debt of gratitude we owe them all.

I am so grateful to those members staying on, to those assisting with the transition and to the new members of the committee stepping forward to contribute their passion, energy and commitment to the longest running Jazz Festival in Australia!

PositionPerson
PresidentChris Ralfs
Vice PresidentVera David
Treasurer & Sponsorship CoordinatorColin Dunn
SecretarySusie Vatcher
Program CoordinatorTBA
Sound & Lighting CoordinatorChris Ralfs
Lantern Walk CoordinatorVera David
Committee MemberAdrian Pitt

Safe and happy holidays! I look forward to sharing more news with you in the New Year, and to seeing you all here for the 41st Merimbula Jazz Festival!

Yours in music

Cherie Glanville 

Hello again Jazz Lovers

Posted on by Secretary


2023 Festival colours
Yellow, Pink and Blue on White

Welcome to our newsletter for the 41st Merimbula Jazz Festival. Held every June long weekend, the 2023 dates are 9-12 June. The Festival will be held across a range of Merimbula venues, all within easy walking distance of each other.

Our website will provide you with all the information you need to register – whether you are a band leader, musician or jazz lover.

Yours in Jazz,
MJF Committee

How to Register

Posted on by Secretary

The easiest way for a Jazz Lover to register is to do everything on-line (with payment by PayPal). We have also included a complete set of fillable registration forms on our website. Simply download the appropriate form, enter your details and save your changes, and then send the completed form to us by email or post.

While you are on the website, take a moment to sign up to our email list and we will keep you informed with any updates.

You can pay your registration fee by PayPal, direct deposit, cheque or money order.

Last minute registration for Jazz Lovers will also be accepted at the Jazz Office on your arrival at the Festival. The Jazz Office can process payments by cash and credit card.

What’s On

Posted on by Secretary

FRIDAY 9th JUNE

JazzFest, the programmed live music for the Merimbula Jazz Festival, will start at 5pm in all six venues, finishing at midnight.

SATURDAY 10th JUNE

The JazzFest program will re-start at noon, and continue through till midnight.

This year, we are pleased to bring back the Lakeside Lantern Walk. Assembly will be at 5 pm at Spencer Park, Merimbula. The walk begins at 5:30 pm and makes its way into Beach Street, ending near Twyford Hall.

Jazz Quest will be held on Saturday evening at the Lakeview Hotel. This provides a great opportunity to hear the future trends of jazz and to be amazed at the talent on show from our young musicians.

SUNDAY 11th JUNE

This year, the ecumenical service will be back at the church, commencing at 11.00am. The JazzFest program will recommence at noon in all venues and continue through till midnight.

MONDAY 12th JUNE

The Jazz Hatters Party is a fun-filled day to be held at Merimbula RSL and will feature a line up of popular bands. There will be prizes for the best hats and the Festival raffle will also be drawn. It is a community event and is free for all. You cannot bring your own food or drinks but there will be plenty available at a reasonable cost.

Don’t forget to take time to see the Jazz Art display at Club Sapphire. One of the paintings will feature as the basis for next year’s poster.

Our website has all the information you need for easy registration for the 2023 Festival.

We look forward to seeing you in Merimbula in 2023 for the Merimbula Jazz Festival.

Jazz Quest

Posted on by Secretary

Jazz Quest at the Lakeview Hotel will once again be part of the Merimbula Jazz Festival. Open to musicians 25 years of age and under – great cash prizes will be up for grabs. See the website or below for details of how to enter.

If you want to be a part of this fantastic opportunity for young musos, make sure you tick the box on the Musician Registration Form. In addition, please send your details (name, instrument, mobile number, postal and email address) to Paul Dion by clicking on <this link>.

Registration Process & Fees

Posted on by Secretary

BAND REGISTRATION CLOSING DATE 20th MARCH

There is no fee for bands but members must be fully registered.
There is a limited number of spots available and entries received after the closing date cannot be accepted.
Note that band registration must also rely on band leaders and musicians registering with their fee.
Unregistered musicians will not appear in the program book and will not be eligible for a disbursement.

MUSICIAN REGISTRATION CLOSING DATE 20th MARCH

Please note that you will not be registered until your form and your fee have both been processed.
Musicians also note that time shown for a private gig includes the time taken to get there and to return.

*INSURANCE

Musicians are responsible for the storage and safe keeping of their instruments at all times. The Merimbula Jazz Festival Inc. is not liable for loss or damage to any musical instrument during the Festival.

REGISTRATION FEES

Jazz Lover Registration is $120 or Early Bird Special Rate $100 (registered by 20th March 2023)
Musicians performing on Official Program $10
Musician’s Partner or Parent $50
University and TAFE students $50
School Children (to Year 12) FREE

SESSION PASSES

Friday Evening $50
Saturday Afternoon OR Evening $50
Sunday Afternoon OR Evening $50
Saturday or Sunday All Day $60

The best way to ensure the success of the Festival is to register early, so please complete the appropriate Registration Forms and send them off to us as soon as you can.

Timetable

Posted on by Secretary

THURSDAY 8 JUNE

The Jazz Office will be open from 9am – 5pm for registrations, collection of badges and programs.

FRIDAY 9 JUNE

The Jazz Office opens at 9am and will be open until late to catch the weary travellers from afar and post any late program changes. The Jazz Program commences at 5pm at all venues.

SATURDAY 10 JUNE

The Jazz Program commences at 12 noon at all venues.

SUNDAY 11 JUNE

The Ecumenical Church Service is at 11:00am. Check your program for more information. The Jazz Program commences at 12 noon at all venues.

MONDAY 12 JUNE

The Jazz Hatters Party is at Merimbula RSL. This indoor event replaces the former Jazz Picnic to avoid problems with inclement weather. The RSL will run a FREE shuttle bus throughout the day and further details will appear in the Festival program book and on our website.

Note that alcohol cannot be taken onto club premises and grounds, however there will be ample food and drink available for sale on the day.

Thank you for your past support. We’re preparing for a terrific festival in 2023 so make your plans early, bring your family and friends along, and enjoy all the delights of Merimbula with a weekend of Jazz in June.