About The Fest
WHAT IS THE CHRISTCHURCH BIG BAND FESTIVAL?
• The Christchurch Big Band Festival is a five day music festival held every Labour weekend in Christchurch.
• It brings fresh musical vibrancy to the streets and venues of Ōtautahi in spring, attracting thousands of listeners to exciting toe-tapping entertainment all around the city.
• Running since 2006, the CBBF is run by the community for the community and is the only Big Band Festival in New Zealand.
• Accessibility is a kaupapa of the festival with mostly free performances. There is often more than one event happening at a time.
• Bands from all over New Zealand gather in Christchurch to play Big Band style jazz providing performance opportunities for over 500 musicians in 20 - 25 groups across 60 scheduled performances.
WHAT IS A BIG BAND?
• Big Band music can be anything from traditional 1920's jazz of Louis Armstrong through swing era music of Glen Miller to modern pop and funk.
• The Big Band sound can be vibrant and exciting, or mellow and relaxing - excellent for dancing, or sitting back and listening to. • A Big Band usually features four trumpets, four trombones, five saxophones, and a rhythm section playing piano, guitar, bass and drums and often a vocalist.
• The Big Bands that perform during the festival have performers ranging in age from primary school to retirees, professionals and student musicians alike.
WHO WILL ENJOY THE PERFORMANCES?
• Everyone! Suitable for ages 0 - 100 years old
• This festival appeals to all demographics, and as most of the performances are free and held in the CBD they are accessible to all.
WHAT DO THE PERFORMANCES INCLUDE?
Bands perform for free outside Riverside and in Victoria Square, on the tram, parading down the promenade, at a special church service, a jam session at A Rolling Stone and of course the Big Band Picnic on Labour Day Monday in the Botanic Gardens.
There are also ticketed performances at Fat Eddie's, a swing dance ball, and a special Gala Performance.
We also hold a series of exciting workshops with top jazz tutors and form the Christchurch Youth Jazz Orchestra for some special performances.
WHAT IS THE VALUE OF THE FESTIVAL FOR CHRISTCHURCH?
The festival makes Otautahi a vibrant place. Tourists remember the city as having great music on the streets and around the City. The Festival makes locals feel that their city is buzzing and gives them a reason to spend longer in the CBD. It's fun!
It's a chance for community big bands to get together and have a blast! We have experienced bands and professional musicians sharing the stage with community bands and up and coming school bands. It's a chance to play, a chance to share, and a chance to encourage and inspire.
Live music makes people feel good and contributes to the wellness of the Christchurch Community. The gala concerts showcase musicians at the very top of their game. Cantabrians and tourists alike can enjoy world class acts without leaving the city.
Local Big Bands and local students are given opportunities to workshop with tutors and visiting artists, and extend their craft. Education of young musicians is playing a growing role in the festival, and offers excellent opportunities for budding musicians to work with experienced professionals.
Our team of volunteers and paid event technicians all benefit from this festival.
The festival is run by a charitable Trust and is keen to partner with organisations and individuals who are keen to realise opportunities to enhance and develop the festival.
For more information contact
Nicholas McBryde, Festival Manager at manager@bigbandfest.org.nz
or Judith Bell, Artistic Director on 021 2322912 or judith@bigbandfest.org.nz
WHAT DO PEOPLE LOVE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL?
“Back to back events kept us in town for the afternoon and coming back for more and more. A superb event, it really brought the city to life.”
“Supporting local musicians. Great to see all the musicians young and old at all different levels together enjoying themselves.”
“The variety, seeing school children perform as part of the festival, seeing crowds of people enjoying a day out with the family, enjoying the music and getting up to dance… and to top it all off, the weather was awesome!”
“The music drifting through the cily. As we walked along the terrace, as Riverside music faded, Oxford started up, and then Victoria Square. It felt magical and surreal.”
“EVERYTHING!!! Advertising, programmes, time keeping, introductions and commentary, promoting other events happening, promoting food and beverage services, the huge variety of bands performing, the quality of the music, sound technicians, safety, toilets, we even got close parking - the entire organisation of the weekend's events was top notch! Well done and thank you :)”