The 2010 ASB Queenstown JazzFest will have a distinctly Australian flavour, with five acts from across the Tasman included in the line-up of more than 50 bands and 150 New Zealand and international performers for the 32nd festival.
The Australian contingent of the Daniel Gassin Trio, James Annesley Quartet, Mike Frost and the Icemen, Mojo Webb and Pan Francis will all perform during the five-day event from October 21 to 25.
Queenstown JazzFest Trust chairman Luke Baldock said it was not just the snow which brought Australians to Queenstown.
"ASB JazzFest continues to develop strong associations with the Australian jazz scene with interest growing each year from leading and emerging artists keen to be involved here in Queenstown.
"With increased competition for a limited number of slots, this year's line-up really does promise to be the best yet.
"One of my personal favourites is the James Annesley Quartet with his jazz/hip-hop crossover," Mr Baldock said.
The Melbourne-based James Annesley Quartet was already a big Australian festival favourite.
Featuring James Annesley on soprano and tenor saxophones, Tom Lee on double bass and Aaron McCoullough on drums, the band's style of contemporary jazz drew influence from serene, earthy folk music and hard-hitting rock.
Annesley's compositions had a dynamic contrast and occasionally turned into adventurous, freewheeling improvisations.
Mr Baldock said the Daniel Gassin Trio was fronted by hugely talented pianist Daniel Gassin, who was described in All About Jazz magazine as one of the most unheralded young pianists in jazz today.
His accompanying three-piece band comprised saxophonist Paul van Ross, drummer Mark Lockett and bassist Tom Lee.
It was described as a "modern jazz trio that gets the sort of intense hum going that only the best of 'em do", Mr Baldock said.
Raised as a New Zealander but now Brisbane-based, singer-guitarist Mike Frost would be bringing his Icemen back to his home turf for the band's third consecutive appearance at the ASB Queenstown JazzFest.
Assisted by Mark "The Colonel" Doherty's expert harp blowing and the swinging rhythm of Tom Matthews' bass as well as Greg Baikaloff's drums, Frost's guitar had a bite like a bull terrier, Mr Baldock said.
Inspired by Frost's discovery of the blues via the '60s era of British R&B bands and the African-American bluesmen of the '40s and '50s, the band was renowned for burning blues standards at their absolute best.
Mr Baldock said the naturally soulful voice and multi-instrumental talents of Mojo Webb often stopped people in their tracks, with his lifelong study of blues guitar making for a fresh sound in roots-based music.
Described as producing "world-class" music with great charisma and a captivating stage presence, and having sung as far afield as England and Thailand, Mojo had worldwide experience fronting his own bands and performing solo, earning him countless fans and admirers along the way.
Mr Baldock said Pan Francis was the trio set to shoot rays of collective improvisation around the ASB Queenstown JazzFest with their quirky melodies and thumping beats.
Jon Crompton would take to stage on saxophone, while Nick Martyn played drums and percussion and Michael Story was on acoustic bass.
Blending jazz, the avant-garde and acoustic rock, the sound of Pan Francis was hinged on collective improvisation and interplay with reckless abandon, explosive drumming and astonishing virtuosity, he said.
For more information go to www.asbjazzfest.co.nz.
