Eltham Jazz, Food & Wine Festival in global top-20 list

Free Local Jazz Festival Ranked Second In The World

[From the media release]

The 2017 Eltham Jazz, Food & Wine Festival offers great fun for everyoneand its free! This year there will be an exciting lineup of jazz, swing, blues, rock, soul and funk artists playing across Elthams town centre on Saturday 25 February and Sunday 26th February.

The festival, in its 21st year, was recently ranked 2nd in the top 20 jazz festivals in the world by American Express Essentials, and was the only Australian festival included. This year the festival also welcomes its first international actAfrica Entshaa breathtaking a cappella gospel group on tour from South Africa.

On top of the great entertainment, the festival offers sumptuous food and award-winning local wines, with a designated kids area filled with fun activities.

Saturdays line-up on Stage 1 will kick-off at midday with the Eltham High School Stage Band, followed by Sisters and Misters, The Shuffle Club, BackBeat, Soul Sacrifice and The Pacific Belles. Festival-goers can dance the night away with the incredible Grand WaZoo: Kings of Soula 13-piece world class soul extravaganza who will play two sets to close off the night from 9pm to 11.30pm.

Funky jazz, blues and roots combo Hey Gringo open Saturdays entertainment on Stage 2 in Commercial Place at 12.30pm, followed by Paul Van Ross and the Vintage Roots, The Michelle Nicolle Quartet, The Blue Souls, Shirazz, Andrea Marr & the Funky Hitmen and The Boogaloos. The legendary Barry Wratten and his band will rove around the festival on Saturday between 1pm and 4pm.

Stage 3, placed on the Terrace, will kick off with Geoff Kluke and the Changes at 6pm, followed by Nick Charles, and Greg Champion and The Cool Rockin Daddies.

This year, Little Drop of Poison and La Zanyas will also present free live music on Saturday 25 February from 3.3011pm. Bands include Brooklyn ’86, Rattlin’ Bones Blackwood, The Little Kings and The Real Thing.

Sunday begins with the famous marching band and stilt walker around town at 11.30ama fantastic event for all the family. The music commences on Stage 1 at midday with the New Orleans Pelicans Brass Band followed by the Olivia Chindamo Band and the Kimba Griffith Septet. Africa Entsha close Stage 1 from 4.30pm5.30pm.

Stage 2 entertainment includes St Helena Secondary College Band, the Dorian Mode Trio, Suzanne Petersen and band, and finishes with Paul Wookey and Shannon Bourne who present A Spoonful of Creama tribute to Cream, and is a guitar show not to be missed!

Childrens entertainment, including face painting, a jumping castle and craft activities, will take place between 2pm and 6pm on Pryor Street.

Visit the official festival website to view the program and find out more.