Jazz notes of all varieties echoed through historic Oamaru at the weekend.
The Harbour Street Jazz & Blues Festival was held over eight venues, more than in previous years, and Penguin Club president Collan Fraser said he had been pleased to get the call this year to take part for a second time.
The 27-year-old club had not played host to the jazz festival show since the festival’s inaugural year five years ago.
"It’s great to be back," Mr Fraser said.
While the club was known primarily as a rock’n’roll club, it had hosted a variety of acts over the years.
"We do folk, we do jazz; we’ve even had classical music in here — a string quartet."
The club’s one show during the festival was Auckland’s Freaky Meat, a high-energy four-piece ensemble that showcased beat-poet Shane Hollands’ work.
Mr Hollands said the band, playing at the festival for a third time this year, "loved" coming to Oamaru.
"When we got the call to come down and play we were really excited," he said.
"It’s a wonderful community. Oamaru’s just got so much going for it."
While Freaky Meat flew in for one show at the festival, and then flew out, many of the performers stayed for the weekend.
Trumpet diva Edwina Thorne, of Auckland, who attended her first festival last year, said there was a "much better energy" this year.
"The town is just buzzing," she said.
She played at the Star & Garter, Cucina, Smith’s Grainstore and at the Cabaret Night — Blues to the End closer at the Loan & Merc last night with The Bill Martin Trio along with headliner Midge Marsden.
On Saturday night, festival co-ordinator Julie Barclay was thrilled with the continued growth at this year’s festival.
"It’s just great vibes," she said.
"I’m just over the moon."
The variety of jazz spread over the three days, over different venues and staggered over different times, allowed music fans to sample a number of different styles.
"And it’s all within walking distance as well," she said.
"We try to keep it in that hub [Oamaru’s historic area and Lower Thames St] but you’ve got totally different sounds coming from all the different venues."
