Queenstown's all Jazzed up for Labour Weekend

Fresh from performances at London’s Ronnie Scott’s and The Palladium, New Zealand violin virtuoso Fiona Pears will be headlining at two special ASB JazzFest Queenstown concerts this Labour Weekend.

From 11am on Sunday 26 October, Ms Pears will take locals and visitors to new heights with her amazing mix of Celtic, gypsy, Latin and classical jazz at the top of the Gondola in the iconic Skyline complex. The Skyline JazzFest Sunday Brunch will be held at the Skyline Restaurant and the $44 ticket will include a full sumptuous buffet brunch and return Gondola Ride.

The same night she will celebrating the festival’s 30th anniversary in style at the JazzFest Finale, performing alongside uptown blues maestros King Leo and the Growling Dogs, Melbourne’s jazz groove gurus the Michael Story Trio, Latino and groove jazz fusion ensemble ‘Subject2change’, and the Frank Gibson Trio featuring New Zealand’s foremost drummer, plus some special guests.

ASB JazzFest Queenstown director Harvey Maguire promises the finale concert, to be held at the Queenstown Memorial Hall, will be a night to remember.

“Reaching the 30th anniversary of the jazz festival is a real landmark. The Finale will be a music extravaganza with a compelling, highly infectious range of styles guaranteed to get everyone on their feet. It’s a rare chance to see such a wealth of talent on one stage.

We’re very excited about the line-up of performers, particularly Fiona Pears and her highly acclaimed band who are outstanding, passionate performers.”

Now based in London, Christchurch-born Fiona Pears has risen to fame as an international soloist and recording artist, performing at concert halls around the world and recording for EMI and Universal Records. She has also opened for world-renowned artists such as Tony Bennett, Ottmar Liebert and the late Victor Bourge, as well as recording for New Zealand artists including Bic Runga and Hayley Westenra.

Festival tickets can be purchased online through www.asbjazzfest.co.nz, by calling TicketDirect on 03 450 9110 or 0800 224 224, or at the Queenstown i-Site (corner of Shotover and Camp streets).