The 10th annual festival of Jazz in Martinborough returns this year with 10 events - two paid concerts in our fabulous Town Hall and eight free gigs at local bars, cafes and restaurants.

The festival kicks-off on Friday night when award-winning pianist Duncan Haynes showcases tunes that celebrate legendary jazz vocalists and features songs from the beautiful ballad Lush Life all the way through to Coltrane’s 26-2, with a bunch of swinging tunes and great soloists in between.  Recently returned to Aotearoa after 20 years abroad performing and teaching, Duncan has performed all over the U.K. and Europe including at Ronnie Scott’s, Wembley Stadium, and jazz festivals in Warsaw, Portugal, Ireland, and the Netherlands.

Then on Saturday night the sensational Miho's Jazz Orchestra will play a unique blend of world music and jazz, as flute and sax player Miho Wada seamlessly fuses her distinctive Pan-Pacific style with Afro-Cuban flute, Japanese pop and irresistible grooves. Miho has studied flute in Cuba, London (Trinity College of Music) and New Zealand (University of Canterbury) and performed with artists such as Sierra Maestera, Iggy Pop, Nigel Kennedy, Jarvis Cocker, Ska Cubano and members of the Buena Vista Social Club.

Described as one of the most entertaining jazz acts in New Zealand, Wada's infectious positivity leaves audiences uplifted and makes the band no stranger to top 10 chart success.

See our website for details of the other artists and venues in our programme of free gigs.

If you are looking for accommodation in the Wairarapa please contact the Martinborough i-SITE on 06 306 5010 or visit www.wairarapanz.com.