Thursday in the thick of it ...

It all started tonight really - the 50th National Jazz Festival! Proceedings kicked off with the "History of Jazz ... According to Tauranga" Gala Concert in the Festival Hall at Baycourt, and from what I hear that was quite a performance! With inspiration from the five decades of the festival's existence, every one of them right here in Tauranga, this really was a great way to launch what is set to be a buzzing weekend! Also tonight, the Tauranga All Stars apparently really rocked the University of Waikato Jazz Club. After their success in the Jazz for Christchurch concert last year, renowned local acts Kokomo and Torch Songs banded together once again, along with some other special guests, and really showed that any act from around these shores is just as capable of wowing the crowds as any world-class act.

Tomorrow is Good Friday. So there'll be no ads on TV or radio, most shops will be closed, and chances are, you've got the day off! (Or you're being suitably remunerated for working a public holiday.) Accordingly, it's the first full day of the festival, with some exciting events coming up! Here's the lineup:

• The National Youth Jazz Competition will be on 9am-4pm at the Bay of Plenty Times Festival Hall, Baycourt.
• The Downtown Tauranga Carnival kicks off tomorrow around the downtown area and the Strand, with plenty of free entertainment amongst a street-party atmosphere.
• Head out on the Sebel Trinity Wharf Jazz Riverboat and enjoy live music and entertainment on the harbour. It departs from the Sebel Trinity Wharf, Dive Crescent at 2pm, 4pm and 6pm.
• The Jan Preston Trio looks set to delight at the University of Waikato Jazz Club, Baycourt from 4pm, followed by Adam Page at 7pm.
• International sensation Kurt Elling will be making the most of the amazing performance space at Holy Trinity on Devonport Road.

For all the information you need on any of these events, see jazz.org.nz. I'll be back tomorrow night with an update on the festival, but until then, stay jazzy!

Josh.