High school jazz bands coming from as far as Sydney down to Victoria will be showcasing both modern and classic jazz in some shows that are sure to get the crowd dancing.

Maddy Smith, a student and the bass player in the Canberra College Jazz Band, is excited to be coming to the Merimbula Jazz Festival for the first time after loving and appreciating jazz for many years.

“I think young people can definitely get into Jazz,” Maddy said.

“Jazz music is a ‘timeless genre’ and has a range of sound. Jazz influences music today for example Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars is a jazz and funk song and still a number 1 pop hit.

“People classify Jazz as ‘old people’ music but is being enjoyed by more young people.”

The Canberra College Jazz Band have been coming to Merimbula 17 years in a row and music teacher and jazz musician Graham, has been to the Merimbula Jazz Festival 10 times.

As a high school music teacher Graham knows first hand what it’s like to play jazz music with teenagers.

“Young people are still interested in jazz,” Graham said. “Although Canberra jazz bands don’t appreciate traditional jazz as much because they don't know much about it. Jazz is diverse music and many people don't recognise the influence it has.”  

Another High school band performing at the Jazz Festival, Sale College Big Band, directed by Brett, has a wide variety of instrumental and vocal ensembles like concert bands, brass ensembles and improvisation groups. The students are the best musicians in the school from year 9-12.

“I really enjoy the better weather and I think it is a positive and good learning experience for the students” said Brett.

“The students practice together every Tuesday night after school and are really looking forward to coming Merimbula. The student’s parents also travel up to the Merimbula Jazz Festival to watch them perform.”

As well as playing in the festival the Sydney Youth Jazz Orchestra will be appearing at the Waterfront Cafe on Saturday and Sunday morning.

The director, Saul Richardson said “We are very excited to be coming to Merimbula. The Merimbula Jazz Festival is a marvellous institution and a highlight of our calendar each year.”

“The range, quality, enthusiasm, and generosity of the bands and the audiences alike are probably without equal in Australia. We are excited and proud to be a part of it once again.”

The Sydney Youth Jazz Orchestra will have two bands consisting of thirty people aged 10-27.

“Sydney Youth Jazz Orchestra 1 is a big band of university students and young professional players. Whereas Sydney Youth Jazz Orchestra 2, is a band of high school students and a small jazz band called ‘Saul Richardson’s workshoppers’.”

Musicians from the Sydney Youth Jazz Orchestra bands will be playing at the Satay House restaurant each night of the festival.

For something a little bit different the East Gippsland Brass Band plays a combination of jazz and rock music. Music teacher at Bairnsdale Secondary College and conductor of the East Gippsland Brass Band Kees Dogger said they have 45 musicians all of varying ages from 11 to 89 so they have to find music that pleases everyone.

“We find rock music can be a bit repetitive so we play Jazz/rock,” Kees said. “I have been coming to the Merimbula Jazz Festival for 16 years and with the band 8 years in a row. We like coming to the Merimbula Jazz Festival because it’s a lot of fun.”

Orbost Secondary College Swing Band are a young band that are first time participants.

“Young people can certainly be interested in Jazz music and be creative, the band express their ideas and interact with the music,” conductor of the Concert and Swing Band Lynette Newman said.

“The students are from year 8 to 12, they rehearse at lunch and improvise Jazz music and put a swing/funk style to it.”

The Australian Army Band from Sydney is widely acknowledged as one of Australia’s most dynamic and active musical ensembles that can play for any occasion.

Major Matt Chilmaid of the Australian Army Band said “We’re coming back after 2 years. I love Merimbula because of the beautiful weather, the Jazz festival is fun and we like seeing the local musicians.”