SMOOTH sounding jazz instead of traditional hymns will emanate from the historic St John’s Anglican Church in Port Fairy for one night only this week.
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The Jazz in St John’s event is set to get toes tapping with south-west band Bitter Sweet returning to the limelight as part of the Moyneyana Festival.
Organiser Kaye Dowie said the concert was one of the largest musical events during the month-long festival and attracted jazz fans and novices alike.
She said Bitter Sweet would perform a range of jazz tunes, ranging from the brassy sounds of the 1920s to smooth contemporary pieces.
“St John’s is a beautiful old church and the acoustics are suited for any sort of music,” Mrs Dowie said.
“I think some people are a little surprised when they come for the first time. They feel at first that they need to be reserved in a church but it’s not like that at all.
“It’s a casual evening and the music is fantastic.”
Bitter Sweet features Gavin Franklin on piano, singer Lyn Eales, Matthew Hewson on saxophone, Bruce Millar on bass and Barry Galbraith on drums.
Mrs Dowie said the 2013 event was poorly attended due to extreme heat but more than 150 people attended the 2012 concert.
“It was very hot, I think 38 degrees, so we didn’t have the best turnout but prior to that we’ve had some big numbers,” she said.
“Many visitors who come along for the day are surprised by what they see. It’s not every day you hear jazz in an old church like St John’s.”
Jazz in St John’s will be staged on Friday (January 3) from 7.30pm. Admission is $10 and tickets are available at the Port Fairy Visitor Information Centre or at the door.
