The 52nd National Jazz Festival is just over five weeks away and tickets are on sale with an expected crowd of more than 60,000 people over the five days.

It is the longest-running jazz festival in the southern hemisphere and will be returning to Tauranga this Easter.

It will run over the long weekend, 17-21 April, with ticketed concerts, a family-friendly Jazz Village, and a free two-day Downtown Carnival event at the Tauranga Waterfront.

Highlights of this year's festival include US-based Jackie Ryan, a singer who has performed with a long list of jazz greats, including Buddy DeFranco, Jeff Hamilton and John Mayer; Kiwi blues legend Midge Marsden; Japanese jazz-punk flautist Miho Wada; Australian multi-instrumentalist Adam Page; jazz violinist George Washingmachine; and singer and actor Liz Kirkman who will be bringing her Jezebel of Jazz show to the Bay.

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Festival Director, Becks Chambers, says some of the world's best jazz will be right here on our doorstep, ensuring one of the biggest festivals to date.

"Jazz lovers can expect top international talent to visit Tauranga for the five day event, and we are expecting a crowd of over 60,000 people to attend. It is definitely going to be the place to be this Easter," she said.

Details
What: National Jazz Festival Tauranga 2014
Where: Tauranga
When: 17 April - 21 April 2014
Cost: Ticket prices vary, see website for details. Buy online at www.ticketek.co.nz
Website: http://www.jazz.org.nz/