The highly anticipated 2023 Castlemaine Jazz Festival kicks off this Friday evening with a big band opening night party at Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal.
The three-day festival over the King’s Birthday long weekend (June 9-11) will see 30 bands and hundreds of musicians feature in live shows across multiple local venues including the Royal, Phee Broadway Theatre, Castlemaine Bowling Club, Boomtown Wines, The Coolroom @ Northern Arts Hotel, and several performances at the Castlemaine Town Hall to coincide with the Rotary Art Show.
The festival will reach its crescendo on Sunday when Yarra Valley guitarist, composer, broadcaster and Castlemaine Jazz Festival vice-president Harry Coulson and the Blue Dogs take to the stage at the Theatre Royal.
Harry said he had spent a lot of time in Castlemaine in the past enjoying motorbike rides and leisure time at the former ‘Gov Cafe’ at the Old Castlemaine Gaol where he would also gig regularly.
“I love playing in regional areas. The crowds are so warm and receptive. I felt like I was embraced as an honorary local,” he said.
“It was through my friendship with The Gov’s Calum McClure that I was invited to join the Castlemaine Jazz Festival committee as musician liaison and voice for the artists.”
Harry said this year’s event had a wonderful mix of youth and experience.
“We are thrilled to have headliners the calibre of Paul Williamson and Andrea Keller joining us,” he said.
“I am also excited to see new acts such as the contemporary Mia Barham Quartet featuring the talented Abigail Lee on piano and mainstream jazz act the Loose Leaf trio led by saxophonist Andrew Saragossi and featuring two of Australia’s most idiosyncratic and exciting improvisers Helen Svoboda (double bass) and Canadian drummer Dylan van der Schyff just to name a few.”
Harry and his band are delighted to have been given the task of closing the festival at the stunning Theatre Royal.
“It’s one to tick off the bucket list. There’s Wembley Arena and then there’s the Theatre Royal. There is something really special about it. I can’t put my finger on it. It just holds so much history that place,” he said.
“We will be joined on stage by a plethora of special guests drawn from the many outstanding ensembles featured throughout the festival weekend, and we invite jazz/blues enthusiasts, and music lovers from near and far to join us for this grand finale.”
Night, day and weekend passes to this weekend’s festival are still available. To secure your ticket www.castlemainejazzfestival.com.au
