Star Studded Line Up For Adelaide Festival Centre's International Jazz Day Gala

To celebrate UNESCO's International Jazz Day, the cream of jazz talent from South Australia and beyond will be on show at a special International Jazz Day Gala concert in the Festival Theatre on Sunday 30 April 2017.

Adding to the State's growing calendar of music events, and strengthening Adelaide's standing as a UNESCO City of Music, the International Jazz Day Gala concert will unite some of the very best local and International Artists in a celebration of one of the world's most loved musical genres - jazz!

The concert will feature the world premiere of a new jazz concerto 'Possibilities for Trumpet and Orchestra' by Grammy Award winning composer and band leader Gordon Goodwin, along with renowned performer James Morrison and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. It will also include a host of soloists including celebrated vocalist and The Voice 2012 finalist Darren Percival, and one of the most exciting performers in jazz today, trumpeter Mat Jodrell.

This outstanding bill of world-class performers includes local talents such as Adelaide's very own ARIA Award winning jazz guitarist-extraordinaire James Muller, eminent jazz pianist and one of South Australia's leading authorities on all things jazz, Bruce Hancock, and gifted jazz violinist and composer Julian Ferraretto, who is also performing at this year's DreamBIG Children's Festival in April.

The concert will also showcase students from New York City's prestigious Julliard School of Music as they combine for the first time ever with students from the James Morrison Academy of Music in Mt Gambier to perform as the James Morrison Academy Jazz Ensemble.

In November 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role in uniting people from all corners of the globe.

International Jazz Day is the culmination of Jazz Appreciation Month, which draws public attention to jazz and its extraordinary heritage throughout April. South Australia will kick off its jazz celebrations with State of Jazz from 16 April-7 May 2017, promoting live jazz performances and activities right across South Australia, and will conclude its festivities with Generations in Jazz in Mt Gambier from 5-7 May 2017, an annual event bringing together thousands of young jazz musicians to showcase their talents, transforming the region into a hub of jazz inspiration and education.

Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General: "Jazz makes the most of the world's diversity, effortlessly crossing borders and bringing people together. From its roots in slavery, this music has raised a passionate voice against all forms of oppression. It speaks a language of freedom that is meaningful to all cultures."

Minister for the Arts Jack Snelling: "Make no mistake about it, SA is living up to its name as the Festival State. The addition of the Jazz Day Gala is just another example of why SA is the place to be for live music and the arts."

James Morrison: "It is such a thrill to celebrate International Jazz Day with so many greats of jazz... and where better to do it than in South Australia."

Adelaide Festival Centre CEO and Artistic Director Douglas Gautier: "Celebrating diversity and creativity is what jazz is all about. The International Jazz Day Gala is such a great opportunity for us to support talented local and international musicians and to participate in global celebrations of the wonderful sounds and heritage of jazz.

"Initiatives like this are made possible by Adelaide's designation as a UNESCO City of Music and enhance Adelaide's reputation as a centre of culture and creativity. The more our cultural reputation grows, the more events and artists we can draw to Adelaide which provides world class entertainment for South Australians to enjoy and also makes Adelaide an attractive destination for visitors, international students and investors which is growing our economy and creating jobs."

For more information about International Jazz Day, including videos of previous years' celebrations, please visit jazzday.com

Tickets for the International Jazz Day Gala are on sale now at bass.net.au. For further information visit adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au.

STAYING INFORMED:

As Adelaide Festival Centre embarks on its exciting period of renewal and change, and while the redevelopment plans for Adelaide Riverbank and Adelaide Festival Centre take shape, keep up to date with the latest news on our website: adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/about-us/redevelopment-project.

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