Manly Jazz swings into action

Australia’s longest running jazz festival is back this October long weekend, with local, national and international talent taking to the outdoor stage to showcase a range of incredible performances.
Here are our top five program highlights to enjoy this 42nd Manly Jazz Festival:

Rodney Whitaker
Beachside Arena
Monday 7 October
3pm – 4pm
Free

This year’s festival headliner is internationally renowned bassist and leading jazz performance musician, Rodney Whitaker.

Rodney is a professor of Jazz Bass and Director of Jazz Studies at the Michigan State University.

He has cultivated one of the leading jazz programs in the United States and is highly acclaimed for his performance abilities.

Catch Rodney jamming out on the main stage with fellow professor Andrew Speight on the Monday, or snap up your ticket to Sunday night’s intimate Manly Jazz Director’s Choice Concert, starring the jazz great along with the festival’s all-star high school band, Manly Jazz All Stars.

Tickets to the Director’s Choice Concert are available now for $45 - $55, and can be purchased from the Council website.

Charito
Beachside Arena
Monday 7 October
1.30pm – 2.30pm
Free

Japan’s premier jazz vocalist Charito will be lighting up the main stage on Monday with her stunning voice, expression and musical artistry.

She has achieved both national and global success with her multi-award winning albums and is currently touring Europe, Asia, North and Latin America, offering audiences a showstopping performance that cannot be missed.

In addition to her main stage set, Charito will also be performing alongside Rodney Whitaker at the Director’s Choice Concert on Sunday 6 October.

Andrew Speight
Beachside Arena
Monday 7 October
3pm – 4pm

Sydney-born, San Francisco-based Andrew Speight has taken the jazz world by storm and is now known as one of the most vivacious and highly-skilled alto sax players in the world.

His work is a fantastic exponent of straight-ahead, joyous jazz, and he now leads jass programs at both Michigan State University and San Francisco State.

Andrew will be joined on the mainstage by fellow Michigan State professor and festival headliner, Rodney Whitaker for an afternoon of instrumental delights.

Swing Dancing
Sydney Road
Saturday 5 October
4.30pm – 5.30pm

Kick on your dancing shoes, grab a partner and come along for a sensational afternoon of swing dancing. All in the community are encouraged to join in and celebrate the rhythm and style of swing.

Wine Garden
The Corso
5 – 7 October
11am – 6.30pm

Chill out and soak up the sounds and sights of the festival at the Wine Garden on Manly Corso. The team from Bearded Pigs are on board again this year, offering an array of delicious wine, beers and ciders, as well as encouraging locals to try their hand at a game of mini-golf.