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Brilleaux
10/25/2009 8:00 PM at Queenstown ASB Jazzfest 09
, Queenstown, Southland
Cost:
The ASB JazzFest Queenstown first sprang to life in the O’Connells Hotel Cellar Inn in Queenstown in 1978. Going by the rather unwieldy title of the South Island Residential Jazz Festival, the event was initially organised by the Dunedin Jazz Society.
Over the years, there have been many organisers and venues, including a change of venue when the original O’Connells Hotel was demolished, but over the past decade it has grown in size and strength to the extent that it is now permanently cemented in the resort town’s calendar.
The community-owned Queenstown Jazz Festival Trust was formed in 2006 and wasted no time in securing ASB Bank as naming sponsor of the festival. This strong sponsorship support has enabled the Trust to build what is now arguably the best jazz festival in New Zealand.
Behind the scenes, bringing the festival to life year after year has been Festival Director and Queenstown resident Harvey Maguire. Harvey’s own musical career began when he started to learn classical piano in Invercargill at just 10 years old. By the age of 15, he had realised his passion for jazz and started playing in bands at bible class dances and dance halls.
Harvey went on to enjoy a successful and varied musical career. In Invercargill he formed his own trio, recorded programmes for Radio NZ, and played with the very popular South City Swingers Band.
In 1971, he moved to Queenstown where he entertained locals and tourists at various venues including the Esplanade Hotel, the Trans Hotel and O’Connells Hotel.
It was here the JazzFest was born. Harvey’s passion for jazz has meant he has played a key role throughout the festival’s 30 year history, working tirelessly each year to help produce a first class event. < back
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