2023 marks the final celebration of the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues
For Wangaratta locals, the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues has been a much-loved, and highly anticipated annual event celebrated for more than 30 years. Recently, the volunteer Board for the Festival made the difficult decision to discontinue the event. To celebrate the legacy of the Festival, this November the city of Wangaratta will host ‘The Last Hurrah’.
The 2023 event will run from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th November. While capacity and scope will be smaller than in previous years, the celebration will recognise more than three decades of jazz and blues festivities in Wangaratta with live performances, awards, and a grand gala event acknowledging the efforts of volunteers, organisers and performers over the many years the show took place.
This year’s event will commence with the Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Gala Dinner. The festival board, dignitaries, and the wider community will be invited to come together to thank the many hands who have contributed to the success of the annual festival. The event will include a lavish two-course dinner, as well as live entertainment from Wilbur Wilde & Band.
Wilbur Wilde might be best known for his work in the house band for the popular 1980’s television show “Hey Hey it’s Saturday”, as well as his live and recorded performances with the likes of Skyhooks, Elvis Costello, Tom Jones, Jimmy Barnes, and many more.
Saturday 4th November will see the return of the National Jazz Awards, a celebration of young and emerging artists. This year, the featured instrument is the Bass and the awards have seen 27 emerging Bass artists submit blind applications hoping to secure their spot as one of just five top finalists selected by judges.
In previous years, the Awards have acted as a launching pad for many careers, with both artists and applicants continuing to become accomplished jazz performers. This year’s award ceremony will include performances from the five finalists, as well as a surprise opening act.
Throughout the three-day festival celebration, local venues will host their own jazz and blues events, as well as larger performances from ELIXIR at the Wangaratta Performing Arts & Convention Centre, Centre Quilters at the Uniting Church Rowan Street, and many others. To find out more about what’s on, visit Wangarattajazz.com