We all enjoy the traditional offerings of the National Port of Tauranga Jazz Festival, but the organising committee is always on a mission to add new, different and fresh fun to the mix.

“Along with the stalwart events that have become long-held favourites over the years, we do like to make new friendships,” says festival organiser Marc Anderson.

“When we collaborate with others and offer new events, this adds to the excitement of the festival.”

So what’s new this year? And what’s slightly different?

Speakeasy Supper

New to the festival is the Speakeasy Supper – a five-course degustation with live jazz inside Tauranga’s most exquisite 1920s venue! “Dust off your finest fedoras and pearls and sashay your way inside the recently-renovated St Amand on The Strand for this one,” says Marc.

Here, Kitchen Takeover and St Amand will transport guests into the heart of a New York speakeasy supper club in all its sumptuous, secretive allure. “The magical melodies of our jazz band will grace you with live jazz throughout the evening...” Meanwhile, Kitchen Takeover executive chef Shane Yardley will serenade your senses with a degustation filled with the era’s decadent flavours. No Speakeasy Supper would be complete without the classic concoctions of the era, with delicious cocktails flowing as freely as the secrets. The event is on for three nights only – Friday, March 29, Saturday, March 30, and Sunday, March 31– so don’t miss it. Get tickets at: jazz.org.nz

Hurricane Party

The Hurricane Party is back this year too after a 2023 absence.

This year people can shake, shimmy and get in the swing of things on Saturday, March 30 with two great Auckland bands.

The Asumadu Jazz Ensemble is led by Ghanaian master musician and multi-instrumentalist Yaw Asumadu, who has been performing his own brand of jazz in Ghana and London. “This new ensemble presents a fresh line-up just for the festival that will have you dancing and singing along with their fusion of afro-grooves and jazz,” says Marc.

Plus, the Filthy Junk Traders will bring their own style to the party. “Taking inspiration from the lawless saxophone sections of the swing age and the heavy-footed beats of hip hop producers who reimagined the dusty recordings of that era, the Filthy Junk Traders will bring their finest bars of filthy jazz, funk, and hip hop to Totara St. So – get it while it’s hot!”

The Hurricane Party is on 9pm-midnight Saturday, March 30, at Totara St.

Get tickets at: jazz.org.nz

Jazz at the Mount

And Jazz at the Mount – which debuted in 2022 – keeps growing thanks to fans loving soaking up sounds right in the centre of Mount Maunganui’s main shopping area for one day each Easter!

Hosted by Mount Mainstreet, everyone is welcome to the free day of great music 10am-5pm on Easter Monday, April 1, at Papa O Nga Manu Porotakataka Park.

The band line-up for 2024 includes the Lockie Bennett Quartet, Big Tasty, Kokomo, Ke Lo Ke, and RetroGroove!

Passersby and music-lovers have also embraced the Vintage Car Parade, which begins 11.30am and cruises past Pilot Bay, down Maunganui Rd, past the Jazz at the Mount stage and back to Coronation Park – where a car display is on 9.30am-1pm.

“Jazz at the Mount is an absolute blast and a great way to round off this year’s festival,” says Marc. “It’s proven a very worthwhile addition to our programme with the main street of Mount Maunganui coming alive Easter Monday with live music and vintage cars galore! So come down with family and friends to enjoy great music, vintage cars and join in the holiday revelry!”