Three days of free live music in Earnslaw Park tied in with the Rugby World Cup will be one of the most exciting components of this year's Queenstown JazzFest, its organisers say.
Wakatipu, national and international artists will take to the jazz stage on the evening of Friday, October 21, plus Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23.
The newly formed Queenstown Jazz Orchestra, comprising 17 musicians from throughout the Southern Lakes and Central Otago, gets the festival swinging with the first of its many performances on the opening night.
JazzFest Trust chairman Luke Baldock said Friday's line-up would focus on community jazz and blues talent, with national and international acts following on the weekend.
Fat Freddy's Drop brings the Queenstown Memorial Hall to life on the Saturday.
"Having had them only perform with a larger outdoor concert in the Southern Lakes, it's a unique opportunity to see them in such an intimate environment," he said.
"That is where they're at their best and I think they'll appeal to a slightly older demographic."
An act Mr Baldock could confirm would play on the Sunday was Matthew Halsall, a British 27-year-old trumpeter, composer, arranger, DJ, producer and band leader.
Halsall's show will be part of the festivities leading up to the final of the Rugby World Cup.
The full JazzFest programme is expected to be announced next Friday.
New members include Jason Thornton, formerly of Sydney, plus saxophonists Bruce McKay and Paul Froud and piano player Harvey MacGuire.
