Big names to jazz up long weekend + events timetable

Big-name acts from across the ditch are among those performing at the revamped Jazz Village on Easter Monday.

National Jazz Festival director Becks Chambers hoped to see between 2000 and 3000 people enjoy the acts at the Historic Village on Monday.

"We've totally revamped the Jazz Village this year. It's totally different.

View the itinerary for The Jazz Village below.

"We're hoping that people will embrace the change. Our focus is on the New Orleans theme and condensing everything into the cobbled streets.

"The three main acts are on a bit later in the Village Square. We'll have lovely lighting. It will be pretty romantic, I think," she said.

In previous years, the major acts had been on the grass behind the Historic Village.

"We've changed the look. We're just giving it a go. This is the sixth year of the Jazz Village and we think it's time to freshen things up," Ms Chambers said.

At 4.20pm, The Wellington City Shake-'Em-On-Downers will kick off the big acts in the Village Square followed by Russian-born, Australian-based singer Fantine.

She will be performing her mix of jazz, indie and electro soul accompanied by a full band. To finish off the night local musician Joel Shadbolt will be playing from 7pm.

The indoor venues also offer a range of local talent from noon.

"We've got a world class line-up."

Australian pianist Chris Cody and Auckland band DOG will be playing at the New Orleans Music Factory.

"We're also announcing the New Zealand Tui Award [Best Jazz Album of the Year] in that venue."

The announcement would probably be about 2pm.

In the Preservation Hall the Baby Jazz and Young Guns of the Blues, local intermediate students, would play before the BBC and Friends, a group featuring founding members of the Jazz Society, formed 53 years ago.

A family fun area would also include bouncy castles and face painting.

Ticket sales for other events throughout the weekend were starting to pick up, Ms Chambers said.

The Jazz Village - timetable
Where: Historic Village, 159 17th Ave
When: Noon to 8pm Easter Monday
How much: TECT card holders and children under 14 are free. A general admission day pass is $15.

¦Preservation Hall:
Baby Jazz, and Young Guns of the Blues from noon to 2pm
BBC & Friends from 2.30pm to 5pm

¦New Orleans Music Factory:
Hosted by the Auckland-based Creative Jazz Club Aotearoa featuring Chris Cody and Dr DOG from 12.15pm to 4pm.

¦Hot House Jamming stage:
Featuring the Hamilton Blues Co from noon to 1.45pm and 2.15pm to 4pm.

¦Lafayette Church:
Dee de Luca with Dixon Nacey from 12.30pm to 1.15pm and 2.40pm to 3.25pm.
Radius from 1.35pm to 2.20pm and 3.45pm to 4.30pm

¦Grand finale:
The Wellington City Shake-'Em-On-Downers from 4.20pm to 5.20pm
Fantine from 5.40pm to 6.40pm
Joel Shadbolt 7pm to 8pm