By Margaret Maccoll
The Noosa Jazz Club teamed up with Noosa Alive for the first time on Sunday presenting a Jazz in the Park event, filling the seats and spilling on to the parkland in Noosa Woods.
Club president Richard Stevens said the best jazz players in Queensland came together to form the band.
“Over the years we’ve gathered a lot of good musicians in Queensland,“ he said.
Among the players were saxophonist Paul Williams who has played and recorded with many of Sydney’s top bands and trumpet player, vocalist and multi-recording artist Peter Uppman.
Richard said a couple of players booked to play from Sydney were forced to cancel due to the lockdown.
He said Covid-19 had been a constant issue for the jazz scene with lockdowns across the country raising the ongoing potential of cancellations for performers and audience members and he hoped this year’s Noosa Jazz Party would run as planned from 2-5 September.
Musician Dave Burrows said despite the restrictions, Queensland performers had been luckier than some across the country in being able to perform.
“We’re fortunate to live in this part of the world,“ he said.
Jazz in the Park was one of an array of events that kicked off the Noosa Alive Festival on its opening weekend with others including the Starlight Opera, Queensland Ballet, Picnic in the Park and Seaside Vibes on Main Beach.
Brilliant weather has enhanced the festival that has run like clockwork with a team of volunteers.
The festival hosts a lineup of exciting events including a tribute to 50 years of playwright David Williamson’s career, High Tea with Booff and Cirque Bon-Bon. Sadly Covid-19 has claimed one performance temporarily with cabaret act Meow Meow in lockdown in Melbourne and ticket holders given the option of a refund, a swap to another act or to hold their tickets for a postponed performance on 8 September at The J Theatre.
For more information on Noosa Alive, visit noosaalive.com.au
