Fast Facts
DEVONPORT JAZZ
Fact Sheet
What is it all about?
• Devonport
Jazz is an annual jazz festival held on the last weekend in July.
• The program always aims to include a great mix of jazz music from trad jazz to modern jazz, latin to funk fusion and an increasing blues component. Musicians come from all over the mainland and Southern and Northern Tasmania.
• As well as being a showcase for some of the best interstate and local jazz musicians, the festival incorporates education, food, dance, visual art and film.
• Devonport Jazz is in its seventh year and was established to generate excitement throughout Devonport over winter.
• Over the past six years more than seven hundred musicians have performed to an audience of over 15000 people. There have been 97 concerts held at 23 venues with the majority of these being private sector businesses. Many events sell out weeks before the festival starts.
• Devonport Jazz 2008 will involve 18 venues, 450 performers and 37 concerts. In 2002 there were 10 concerts at 8 venues involving 70 artists.
• The festival promotes live performance and encourages patronage of local venues and business through association with Devonport Jazz.
Who is involved?
• While Devonport Jazz is an initiative of the Devonport City Council, the
festival relies on many partnerships within the local community.
• An increasing number of bars, cafes and restaurants have recognised the benefits of hosting concerts and special events. Many venues are now requesting to host more than one concert over the weekend due to increased patronage and sales in previous festivals.
• Business partners are important contributors to Devonport Jazz. Sponsorship funding from the business sector has increased considerably in the last few years.
• Businesses contribute in many ways. As well as giving sponsorship dollars or hosting a concert, businesses display artwork, staff wear badges and the events signature gold scarves, jazz is played on PA systems and shop fronts are decorated to promote Devonport Jazz.
• The Jazz Taskforce is a dedicated band of volunteers that assist in the smooth running of the weekend. This group includes musicians, teachers, retirees, business owners and professionals who are generous with their time and skills.
• Current Stakeholders:
Abe’s Audio
ABC Northern Tasmania
Barringwood Park Vineyard
Café Inn-dulgence
Centurion Mersey River Cruises
CMax Cinemas
Dannebrog Café Bar and Grill
Devonport Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Devonport City Promotions
Devonport Entertainment and Convention Centre
Devonport Regional Gallery
Devonport RSL Club
Edgewater Hotel
Fourways Shopping District
Gateway Motor Inn
Ghost Rock Vineyard
Hawley’s Gingerbread House
HighTide Waterfront Restaurant
Mersey Yacht Club
Molly Malone’s Irish Pub
Nova Design & Print Centre
NW Jazz Action Society
Powersound
Powertek Australia
Reece High School
Richmond Concepts and Print
Taco Villa
The Advocate
The Sound Company
Torquay Ferry
Twist Cafe
Spreyton Cricket and Bowls Club
WIN TV
7AD
Local Churches, Schools and Community Organisations
…and the many businesses who create window displays, play jazz background music,
display artwork a.nd get into the spirit of the weekend
• Event photographers – Sean Fennessy, Geoff Best, Margaret Muir, Barbara Boutcher and Phil Nesham
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