Jazz and blues festival returns to Christchurch in May

The Cavell Leitch New Zealand International Jazz and Blues Festival is returning to Christchurch in May with 30 shows across five days.

The festival, which is in its 23rd year, is New Zealand’s biggest combined jazz and blues event.

Miami-based singer Fantine will perform two shows in Christchurch in May.

Festival director Jodi Wright says music lovers can look forward to enjoying performances from some top artists in 10 different venues across the city, including an authentic Dixieland band on the heritage tramway.

“We have something for everyone, from the outstanding vocal depths of American legend Kurt Elling and his Quintet to the smooth sounds of Miami-based singer Fantine,’’ Ms Wright says.

Elling, who is among the world’s foremost jazz vocalists, is headlining the festival this year. He won the DownBeat Critics’ Poll 14 consecutive times and was named Male Singer of the Year by the Jazz Journalists’ Association on eight occasions.

Grammy-nominated more than a dozen times, Elling has also been honoured with several international jazz awards, including the prestigious Edison Jazz Oeuvreprijs Lifetime Achievement Award.

Multi-instrumentalist James Morrison is also performing. He will kick-off the festival on 23 May with a performance at the Isaac Theatre Royal with the New Zealand Army Band.

International jazz singer Fantine is on board for two nights of jazz, soul, and funk on 24 and 25 May.

To find out who else is performing and full details of the festival, check out the festival website.