Patti Austin third headline for Jazz Festival

Grammy award winning jazz singer Patti Austin has been confirmed as the third headline act to play at next year's National Jazz Festival in Tauranga.

The American singer will join Earth Wind & Fire and Keb Mo at the 5-hour Birthday Bash on Sunday April 8 at Tauranga Domain during the annual five-day National Jazz Festival held over Easter.

Festival director Arne Herrmann said he was "over the moon" to have signed up the singer who is known as one of the giants of modern jazz, had a major hit with the song Baby Come to Me and won the coveted Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2008 for her album Avant Gershwin.

Tickets for the Birthday Bash are on sale through Ticketek 0800 TICKETEK (842 538) or www.ticketek.co.nz