Nelson Jazz launches New Winter Festival
Nelson Jazz Festival is returning, and it has some sizzling events to lift our winter spirits. For the first time, the festival has moved to winter, and will draw people to Nelson and Tasman hospitality venues on a long weekend, 22nd to 26th July.
“We are keen to provide visitors and locals a menu of great live music to complement the food, drink and ambience of the regions cafes and bars,” commented Jak Karaitiana, president of Nelson Jazz Club. “We are excited to offer a programme of some of New Zealand’s best jazz musicians to get us out and about in a Nelson winter. It promises truly outstanding entertainment, from the sultry to the high energy.”
The premiere event of the festival is at The Rutherford on the Saturday night. The crowd will enjoy a double bill featuring the groups Jazz Embassy and Tiger Moth. Jazz Embassy brings together some of Nelsons finest players, Tiger Moth features top jazz players from Christchurch. “The Double Bill event promises to be one to delight and excite,” according to Graeme Nicholas, part of the organising committee. “Three hours of superb jazz from top musicians, I wouldn’t miss that. And it is here, in Nelson.”
Headline acts for the festival include Jazz Embassy, Tiger Moth, NJC Big Band, Riwaka High Rollers, Sun City Soul and Echoes of Jazz (a special collaboration between Tom Rainey and Tessa Quayle). Ticketed events are at The Boathouse, The Playhouse and The Rutherford. Open events, featuring a range of bands, will be at Deville Cafe and Bar, Fanny’s Pub, The Honest Lawyer, Lambretta’s, The Vic Public House, the Elma Turner Public Library, Eight Plates and Red 16.
Embedded in the festival this year is a programme featuring local and visiting high school musicians. “As festival organisers the Nelson Jazz Club has worked closely with the schools to ensure we are supporting and profiling the outstanding emerging talent among school musicians,” said Jane Bayley, events organiser for the club.
School groups will not only get feedback from judging, but join in workshops led by top jazz tutors. School bands will also perform at lunchtime in local hospitality venues, Deville Cafe and Bar, Fanny’s Pub and The Honest Lawyer. The jazz band from St Andrew’s College, Christchurch, is an important part of the event. The schools will celebrate and show off their talent at a Showcase Gala to be held in the Rutherford Hotel on Friday evening, 24th. They will be joined by an all-start tutors’ band led by Mr Tom Rainey.
The Nelson Jazz Winter Festival 2026 kicks off on Wednesday 22nd of July at The Boathouse on Wakefield Quay. This opening event will set to tone for the whole event, with opportunity to learn some dance moves in a session at 7.00pm, before Nelson’s ever popular swing-style NJC Big Band provides the groove from 8.00pm.
More details and ticketting information is available on the Festival website, www.nelsonjazzclub.com/jazzfest2026
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