Australia’s leading jazz vocalist, Vince Jones, is set to headline the 2024 Castlemaine Jazz Festival with an unmissable performance at the Phee Broadway Theatre on Saturday June 8.
Jones told the Express he was looking forward to returning to Castlemaine.
“I’ve played a few shows in Castlemaine in the past. It’s a lovely part of the world and I look forward to being part of the lineup at the Jazz Festival,” he said.
The singer, trumpeter, songwriter and three-time ARIA award winner celebrates his 50th year in the industry in 2024, and with an impressive 25 albums under his belt, and counting, he has a lengthy and diverse discography to draw from for the Castlemaine show.
Jones will be joined by his talented quintet members including; Matt McMahon on acoustic piano, Ben Robertson on double bass, Felix Bloxsom on drums and John Mackey on tenor sax.
The quintet will also appear at the iconic JazzLab in Brunswick on Friday June 7 and Sunday June 9.
“At Castlemaine we will play a selection of music spanning from across my career. Fortunately, a lot of crowd favourites, are also my favourites to perform,” Jones said.
“I’ve written a lot of original material which is complex and interesting, music that touches on greatness through to suffering.”
Jones has performed on the tour circuit across Europe, the US and South East Asia to great acclaim but these days is enjoying playing gigs and festivals across Australia.
When he is not touring and performing, he enjoys the rural lifestyle on his 10-acre property in New South Wales, growing his own produce and homeschooling the kids.
Jones said that despite his busy life on and off the road he had also been enjoying writing and recording new music for his next album set to be released in September.
“It is 99.7 per cent finished and will be out in time for Christmas. I plan on treating the Jazz Festival audience to a sneak peek of a new song or two,” he said.
In these challenging times, Jones feels music remains a powerful force where artists can give voice to the issues that matter to them and unite people.
“The music of the 60s and 70s is a fine example of this with messages of love and peace. Unfortunately, there will always be a tyrant. I wrote Circle In A Square (It All Ends Up In Tears, 1987) about the women of Chile, who bravely gathered in the square with images of their missing loved ones on their chests, sending a message to the world during Pinochet’s rule. Sadly, it’s happening again.”
This year’s festival will take place across the King’s Birthday long weekend (June 7-9) and features 38 bands performing in six iconic venues, including the historic Theatre Royal, Castlemaine Bowling Club, Phee Broadway Theatre, the Coolroom at the Northern Arts Hotel and this year two nights at the very popular Boomtown Winery.
Tickets for the 2024 Castlemaine Jazz Festival are now on sale and feature opening night, day pass and weekend pass options starting from $30 through to $150 adult for the full weekend.
For more information or to secure your tickets, visit www.castlemainejazzfestival.com.au
