Bay ups tempo for big music fest

Jazz by the Bay festival director Cindy Wiese has shared her tips for locals, and what she believes are the hot-ticket items ahead of this weekend’s musical event.

The seventh annual festival kicks off today, with more than 40 performances to be held over four days across 15 venues.

Ms Wiese said while jazz was still at the core of this year’s festival, there was music to suit all tastes and tempos and a great selection of free and ticketed events.

“I would really encourage people to explore what is possibly our most diverse festival yet,” she said. “We’ve curated events so the style of music complements the venue.

“There are pubs to high-end restaurants hosting events ranging from sit-down dinners to swing dances. If you want something more casual, you can grab a burger or a parmi, then dance to funk or jazz with rhythm and blues influences at one of the local taverns.”

An array of artists from the northern hemisphere and closer to home will descend on the region for the event.

They include New Orleans trumpeter Ashlin Parker, New York-based jazz singer Nerissa Campbell, award-winning Afro-Peruvian drum specialist Daniel Susnjar and Perth swing favourite Adam Hall.

Ms Wiese’s recommendation for locals is So What — Funk Edition at Bootleg Brewery on Friday. On Saturday, she suggests food and wine-lovers hit up Rustico at Hay Shed Hill for Rustico’s Euro Jazz Club featuring the Holli Scott Trio.

The Ali Bodycoat Soiree at Clairault Streicker Estate is her choice for Sunday. And for supreme jazz lovers, she says look no further than acclaimed Australian-American vocalist-composer Chris McNulty.

McNulty will perform in a duo at Ngilgi Cave on Saturday in an “exquisite, intimate” event and on Sunday in a quartet at the Old Dunsborough Hall.

For the full event program, visit jazzbythebay.com.au.