James Morrison Sextet

Illawarra Mercury

Thursday January 25, 2007

THE James Morrison Sextet is set to kick start the 20th Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival when they perform at Shellharbour Workers' Club on Friday March 9.

Jazz fans are in for a real treat as there will be two parts to the evening.

The Wollongong Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra directed by Eric Dunan will play the first set and then James Morrison will join the Orchestra for a few numbers before the Sextet take to the stage.

The Sextet includes: drummer Craig Simon, bassist Phil Stack, saxophonist Blaine Whittaker and sensational vocalist Emma Pask.

This New York style jazz band offers original tunes and a contemporary sophisticated sound.

Music coordinator for the Festival Ross Eggleton said, "It is sure to be a wonderful night. It will certainly be one of the highlights of this year's festival."

The Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival will run from March 9-11.

"Being our 20th year we wanted to feature some of the most popular artists from over the years and James Morrison was certainly one of them," Mr Eggleton said.

James Morrison is, by anybody's standard, a virtuoso in the true sense of the word.

Besides the trumpet, this multi-instrumentalist also plays trombone, euphonium, flugel horn, tuba, saxophones, and piano.

At the age of seven, he was given his first instrument, at nine he formed his first band and at 13 he was playing professionally in nightclubs.

His international career developed equally as fast.

When he was just 16, James Morrison debuted in the USA with a breathtaking concert at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Tickets to see The James Morrison Sextet are available at Shellharbour Workers' Club by visiting www.shellys.com.au or phoning 4296 7155 or from the Kiama Visitor Centre phone 4232 3322.

Buses will be provided to take people from Kiama to Shelly's and back again for more details call the Kiama Visitor Centre.