Our cover star is local musician and director of Mauao Performings Arts Centre Aaron Saxon, who is performing at the festival.
"I'm very honoured to be a part of the 50th National Jazz Festival and my band mates and I are looking forward to performing," he said.
Saxon prepares forhis gigs with lots of surfing.
"Outside of music I have passion for surfing. The surf is going to be huge this week and I'm definitely going to get amongst it. [It's] awesome preparation for the Jazz Festival weekend," he said.
Saxon is described by many as one of the top musicians in his field.
He is a multi- instrumentalist/vocalist and composer who has been performing professionally for 18 years. He has worked extensively in all aspects of the music industry, playing for television, radio, concerts and various albums.
In his early 20s he ran a successful jazz club in Surfers Paradise called Voodoo Blues.
In 2001 he founded his fusion band, THONK, and toured with some of the world's biggest names in jazz including the Yellow Jackets, Dave Weckl and Bill Evens.
Now back in New Zealand, he is keen to be part of the Bay's thriving music scene. He recently was musical director of the successful Summerfest concert, and last year was musical director of Tarnished Frocks and Divas.
At Mauao Performing Art Centre, Saxon arranges space and facilities to cater for tuition and performance in dance, theatre, art, music and production of these arts.
Where to catch Aaron Saxon
Tauranga Allstars @ Baycourt April 5th. 9:30pm. $30
Anzac Fusion on The Strand April 7th. 2:30pm. (Aaron Saxon, Ross Comerford, Mickey Ututaonga, Karika Turua)
Friends of MauaoPAC - @ the Jazz Village. April 8th. 3pm. (Aaron Saxon, Ross Comerford, Mickey Ututaonga, Rob Patterson)
