The Generations in Jazz Gala Concert will be swinging onto the stage at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre this Thursday evening and it is an event not to be missed.
The concert is making a much-anticipated return after a two-year hiatus due to COVID and received Federal Government funding through the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) program.
Event co-ordinator Karyn Roberts said despite not being held in its traditional ‘Big Top’ format, the event would still have the spirit of Generations in Jazz (GIJ) as its core foundation.
“I think just the excitement that’s starting to build having so many artists that are coming back who have been involved with Generations over so many years,” Ms Roberts said.
“So it is a bit like a big reunion of those people that have been involved over a long timeframe and some new people too who have not experienced Generations before.”
The committee is anticipating the return of the ‘Big Top’ concert next year, which attracts upwards of 8000 people.
However, this year’s event will include a live performance for people to attend along with a streamed aspect so people can tune in worldwide.
Viewers can expect an incredible variety of performers, an array of instrumental musicians and scholarship finalists will perform a jam session.
The impressive line-up includes James Morrison, Darren Percival, Nicki Parrott, Washington and David Williams and international bands the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and The Real Group will perform via livestream.
“There’s a big variety of entertainment and different styles within the jazz and big band genre too,” Ms Roberts said.
“The people who are coming are so well-renowned within the industry.”
The GIJ Alumni Big Band will be a major highlight, which includes many past GIJ scholarship winners and finalists who are nationally and internationally recognised.
“I hope people do take the opportunity to come along and just appreciate what is on their doorstep,” Ms Roberts said.
“In the words of James Morrison, ‘you will see a concert with a line-up here that you will not see anywhere else in the world’.”
Participating schools will also still hear the announcements of the City of Mount Gambier National Stage Band Awards, the ANZ Vocal Ensemble Awards and the GIJ Small Jazz Combo Awards via live stream.
“I think there will be great joy with the announcements of the placegetters and the traditional Superband, it gives them something to feel they have worked towards and there’s been a result and there’s been an end goal for them,” Ms Roberts said.
“It’s been hard for them, it’s been hard for the music director, it’s been an added thing they really did not need to have on their plate, but they have embraced it and we’re very mindful of that and very appreciative of that support.”
Tickets for the concert are available online via the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre website.
