The second annual Berry Jazz Festival features a wonderfully eclectic mix of music styles within the broad church of jazz.
[From the Media Release]
Held over two days on the ‘Mother’s Day’ weekend, the festival features some of Australia’s finest jazz talent with a program that literally has something for everybody – of all ages! The festival closes with a special Mother’s Day Luncheon at the award winning winery, Coolangatta Estate on Sunday 8 May. This event features Australian jazz singer Emma Pask and ‘The Voice’ runner up, Darren Percival as they reinterpret popular classics from the abundant song book of Neil and Tim Finn. The historic and picturesque town of Berry, just two hours from Sydney by car, is the superb setting for the festival, utilizing the town’s numerous heritage buildings and other country style facilities.
Anthony Colfelt, President of the Berry Chamber of Commerce & Tourism said: “Brimming with historic charm, the village of Berry is nestled within the rolling green hinterland of the NSW South Coast. We are famous for boutique shopping, buzzing restaurants and cafes, and breathtaking scenery. We are thrilled that the Sydney Improvised Music Association for staging this terrific jazz festival here for a second year. We hope that folks enjoy a weekend of simple pleasures at Berry Jazz, fabulous local food and wine and high quality music!”
Saturday 7 May – 1pm – Berry Pavilion, Showgrounds
NEW ORLEANS SECOND-LINE WORKSHOP FOR KIDS
Get into the festival spirit with this music workshop for young musicians aged 5 to 13 years. This activity is suitable for all children, with parts for all skills levels. The one hour workshop concludes with a New Orleans inspired Second Line Parade from the Pavilion to the Courthouse where students will perform a song with the Glorious Sousaphonics.
NEW ORLEANS SECOND-LINE WORKSHOP FOR KIDS
Get into the festival spirit with this music workshop for young musicians aged 5 to 13 years. This activity is suitable for all children, with parts for all skills levels. The one hour workshop concludes with a New Orleans inspired Second Line Parade from the Pavilion to the Courthouse where students will perform a song with the Glorious Sousaphonics.
Workshop: $15 per child
Saturday 7 May – 2.30pm – Berry Courthouse
THE GLORIOUS SOUSAPHONICS
Magnificent genre-bending jazz
The Glorious Sousaphonics have brought their pint-sized brass band power to countless festival stages, venues and school yards since 1997. A favourite of the Musica Viva in Schools touring program, the Glorious Sousaphonics is a unique and heady brew of wind, strings, voice and percussion. They draw on Doo-Wop, Balkan Brass, Brazilian Samba, New Orleans second line, jazz and anything else that takes their fancy. Their sound is uplifting and engaging and the hive of activity that characterises each performance is unparalleled. Sam Golding (sousaphone, trumpet) Matthew Ottignon (saxophone, clarinet) John Hibbard (trombone) Evan Mannell (drums)
THE GLORIOUS SOUSAPHONICS
Magnificent genre-bending jazz
The Glorious Sousaphonics have brought their pint-sized brass band power to countless festival stages, venues and school yards since 1997. A favourite of the Musica Viva in Schools touring program, the Glorious Sousaphonics is a unique and heady brew of wind, strings, voice and percussion. They draw on Doo-Wop, Balkan Brass, Brazilian Samba, New Orleans second line, jazz and anything else that takes their fancy. Their sound is uplifting and engaging and the hive of activity that characterises each performance is unparalleled. Sam Golding (sousaphone, trumpet) Matthew Ottignon (saxophone, clarinet) John Hibbard (trombone) Evan Mannell (drums)
Saturday 7 May – 4.15pm – Berry Courthouse
ELLEN KIRKWOOD & AARON FLOWER DUO
An intimate recital of guitar and trumpet improvisations
Showcasing two of Australia’s most exciting and unique young jazz composers, the Kirkwood/Flower duo will both surprise and delight music lovers and jazz fans alike. Featuring the rarely heard combination of guitar and trumpet, this recital showcases the virtuosic guitar of National Jazz Award-winner Aaron Flower against Kirkwood?s playful and melodic trumpet improvisations. Both accomplished composers, this concert promises a superb afternoon of new music and re-imagined original compositions in a pared-down and intimate setting. Ellen Kirkwood (trumpet), Aaron Flower (guitar)
ELLEN KIRKWOOD & AARON FLOWER DUO
An intimate recital of guitar and trumpet improvisations
Showcasing two of Australia’s most exciting and unique young jazz composers, the Kirkwood/Flower duo will both surprise and delight music lovers and jazz fans alike. Featuring the rarely heard combination of guitar and trumpet, this recital showcases the virtuosic guitar of National Jazz Award-winner Aaron Flower against Kirkwood?s playful and melodic trumpet improvisations. Both accomplished composers, this concert promises a superb afternoon of new music and re-imagined original compositions in a pared-down and intimate setting. Ellen Kirkwood (trumpet), Aaron Flower (guitar)
Saturday 7 May – 8.30pm – Berry Bowling Club
MISTER OTT
High-octane Ethiopian inspired jazz
Fronted by celebrated saxophonist Matthew Ottignon, Mister Ott exhibits a strong “Ethio-jazz” influence as cultivated by the fathers of the movement Mulatu Astatke and Getatchew Mekurya. Drawing on jazz, traditional Ethiopian music and 60s and 70s soul, this electric six-piece ensemble creates high energy music. With a mesmerising eastern sound that is blended with free-form improvisation and syncopation for which African-pedigreed jazz is renowned.
Hypnotic dance grooves, funk-heavy bass lines and big saxophone solos, Mister Ott is an infectious melting pot of world music, jazz, funk and Ethiopian music.
*Dinner service (6.30pm – 8.15pm)
Matthew Ottignon (saxophones) Ellen Kirkwood (trumpet) Ben Panucci (guitar) Daniel Pliner (organ/piano) Eden Ottignon (bass) Dan Kennedy (drums)
MISTER OTT
High-octane Ethiopian inspired jazz
Fronted by celebrated saxophonist Matthew Ottignon, Mister Ott exhibits a strong “Ethio-jazz” influence as cultivated by the fathers of the movement Mulatu Astatke and Getatchew Mekurya. Drawing on jazz, traditional Ethiopian music and 60s and 70s soul, this electric six-piece ensemble creates high energy music. With a mesmerising eastern sound that is blended with free-form improvisation and syncopation for which African-pedigreed jazz is renowned.
Hypnotic dance grooves, funk-heavy bass lines and big saxophone solos, Mister Ott is an infectious melting pot of world music, jazz, funk and Ethiopian music.
*Dinner service (6.30pm – 8.15pm)
Matthew Ottignon (saxophones) Ellen Kirkwood (trumpet) Ben Panucci (guitar) Daniel Pliner (organ/piano) Eden Ottignon (bass) Dan Kennedy (drums)
Two Course Luncheon and Show
Inspired by the abundant songbook penned by Neil and Tim Finn, Finnland features two of the most respected vocal artists working in Australian jazz today. Described by James Morrison as “the greatest gift to Australian Jazz Vocals in the last decade”, the exquisite Emma Pask pays tribute to these iconic compositions alongside the warm and powerful tones of Darren Percival. Conceived by jazz pianist Gerrard Masters, Finnland brings together leading Australian artists to reinterpret these popular classics.
This exclusive concert experience is accompanied by a delicious two-course meal at the South Coast’s most awarded winery, Coolangatta Estate. The perfect gift for mum on Mothers Day! Bookings are essential and special festival accommodation packages are available. Please contact Coolangatta for more information.
*Doors open at 11.45am, Lunch service from Midday. Last deserts served at 1.15pm.
Emma Pask (vocals) Darren Percival (vocals) Gerard Masters (piano) Aaron Flower (guitar) Evan Mannell (drums) Zoe Hauptmann (bass)
Inspired by the abundant songbook penned by Neil and Tim Finn, Finnland features two of the most respected vocal artists working in Australian jazz today. Described by James Morrison as “the greatest gift to Australian Jazz Vocals in the last decade”, the exquisite Emma Pask pays tribute to these iconic compositions alongside the warm and powerful tones of Darren Percival. Conceived by jazz pianist Gerrard Masters, Finnland brings together leading Australian artists to reinterpret these popular classics.
This exclusive concert experience is accompanied by a delicious two-course meal at the South Coast’s most awarded winery, Coolangatta Estate. The perfect gift for mum on Mothers Day! Bookings are essential and special festival accommodation packages are available. Please contact Coolangatta for more information.
*Doors open at 11.45am, Lunch service from Midday. Last deserts served at 1.15pm.
Emma Pask (vocals) Darren Percival (vocals) Gerard Masters (piano) Aaron Flower (guitar) Evan Mannell (drums) Zoe Hauptmann (bass)
How to get there:
Berry is just a two hour drive from Sydney, three hour drive from Canberra and easily accessible from the South Coast and Illawarra regions of New South Wales. It is conveniently situated on the South Coast Line, linking Berry to the Illawarra and Sydney.
Berry is just a two hour drive from Sydney, three hour drive from Canberra and easily accessible from the South Coast and Illawarra regions of New South Wales. It is conveniently situated on the South Coast Line, linking Berry to the Illawarra and Sydney.
