More good news for Christchurch, New Zealand today, where nine-time Grammy-Award Winning American blues artist Bonnie Raitt has been tapped to headline this year's Cavell Leitch New Zealand Jazz and Blues Festival. The largest of its kind in New Zealand, the festival will be held April 3 - 7, with Raitt scheduled to perform at the CBS Canterbury Arena on April 5. Other artists include Irish jazz and blues singer Mary Coughlan, three-piece British band Kitty, Daisy and Lewis, and Christchurch's own Jennine Bailey.
This year's program will feature a new, special event: On opening night, Wednesday, April 3, the George Hotel will host an evening of New Orleans food and wine with an 'All That Jazz' dinner, sponsored by Black Estate Wines and The George Hotel. Guests of this sold-out event will indulge in a four-course menu designed by Andrew Brown, Executive Chef at The George, along with wine pairings by Nicolas Brown, winemaker at Black Estate. The evening will feature the funky blues and soulful jazz melodies of Harry Harrison & Yellow Moon.
Highlights of this year's festival include:
- 'All That Jazz,' dinner at The George Hotel, a match of fine New Orleans food and Black Estate Wines, served to the accompaniment of jazz presented by Harry Harrison & Yellow Moon on April 3, starting at 6:30PM;
- American blues legend Bonnie Raitt, performing a solo concert in the CBS Canterbury Arena on April 5, at 8PM;
- Naomi Ferguson, Mary Coughlan and New Zealand's own Jennine Bailey, saluting great American jazz icons like Etta James, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald on April 6, starting at 8PM;
- Sunday afternoon of big band in the Geo Dome, performed by some of the sharpest jazz players in Christchurch on April 7, starting at 2PM.
Tickets for the Bonnie Raitt concert are available from Ticketek.