After making its debut last year, the Cronulla Jazz & Blues Festival returns for its second year in early June with four days featuring 100-plus free performances alongside ticketed events.
Canadian guitarist and long-term resident of Australia, The Tea Party's Jeff Martin headlines the festival's line-up, which also features Emma Pask, Ray Beadle, Leanne Paris, The Foreday Riders and Lloyd Spiegel through to The Strides, Pacey, King & Doley, Katie Brianna, The Detonators, Murray Cook's Soul Movers, McDermott & North, Bones Atlas and many more.Creative Director Geoff Trio sits down to discuss the 2022 event.
What can punters expect from this incarnation of the festival?
Bigger and better. We have added another beach stage with outdoor bars featuring local beer and wine, over 100 performances, film festival, a record fair; a great selection of food trucks and retails stalls is a great accompaniment to the amazing artists programmed this year.
What does it mean to have someone like Jeff Martin headlining the festival?
I was very excited when Jeff agreed to be part of this year's festival; his voice and guitar playing is simply amazing. He digs deep into his blues and Middle Eastern influences; he is the perfect fit for a jazz and blues festival.
While having an artist of Jeff's calibre and international profile sets a high standard for the festival.
Let's look at the line-up overall; who are some of the highlights of this year's batch of artists?
Ray Beadle is always a highlight, a crowd favourite that impresses every time.
Emma Pask, who is Australia's favourite voices in jazz, Clayton Doley has an amazing eight-piece band, Murray Cook's Soul Movers (we all love the Red Wiggle), Spurs For Jesus are always fun, and Foreday Riders who celebrate 55 years have teamed up with Ray Beadle to launch a new album.
Taking a deeper dive, who are some of the hidden gems of this year's line-up?
There are so many hidden gems this year: Daniel March, The Guitar Organ Drums Trio, McDermott & North, Jo Fabro, Abby And Andrew And Also Arty, and Adam Pringle to name a few. There is a lot of amazing new talent to discover.
There's a real mix of veteran performers alongside some names who are quickly establishing themselves on the scene; what criteria is used to establish the line-up?
Halfway through last year's festival, when we knew there would be a year two, I found myself walking the festival imagining what artists would complement the stages on the beach and parks.
By the end I had my list of headliners and they all said yes. I have a lot of new music come across my desk throughout the year via the venue booking, but the best way I find new music is taking to musicians and punters.
Lots of chats going on Facebook; Ray Beadle, Clayton Doley and Andrew Dickeson where a great help this year, so much knowledge and amazing people.
Aside from the music entertainment, there'll also be a record fair as well as a film festival screening an eclectic range of music documentaries; while music is the primary focus, is providing an immersive experience for fans also part of the festival's mantra?
I'm always looking to diversify programming and broaden the appeal of the event while still having a connection to the essence of the festival.
We have a 10-year plan to build the festival to an international level.
The record fair is always fun and this year's film festival has a great programme for everyone; some great music history there. Films screening include 'The Sparks Brothers', 'Respect', 'Summer Of Soul', and 'The United States V Billie Holliday'.
For those on a budget, the festival features 100 free performances; is that an important aspect of the festival to make it available to as many music fans as possible?
It is very important for this festival. Ninety per cent of the festival is free where punters will get to see artists they do not know. Our aim is to build the profile of these artists to develop a bigger fan base.
For parents, Amber Lawrence's Kids Gone Country will no doubt prove to be very popular; what other activities/ activations will be available for the young ‘uns?
We love Amber. She was so good last year, we had to get her back again.
We also have kids craft, lawn games, face painting, and more still to come. Perfect spot for the parents to grab a coffee while the kids are entertained.
The layout of the festival and its various stages and venues; how easy is it to navigate from one place to the next during the event?
It is real easy. We have created a loop with the parks along the beach and around through the main street of Cronulla. If you keep walking in a circle you will come across all 13 venues.
The festival isn't just for locals of The Shire, right... you welcome music lovers from anywhere?
Yes indeed. The festival is perfect opportunity to come to Cronulla for the weekend of great music and food, there are plenty of great places to stay including Rydges right on the beach.
Early June, the Sydney weather is usually pretty amazing – yet another reason to venture along, right?
Last year's wether was amazing indeed, plenty of sun, but not too hot. We are hoping for the same this year. Thanks for your time.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Join us for a really good time. It's must for the music fan.
2022 Cronulla Jazz & Blues Festival takes place 2-5 June.
2022 Cronulla Jazz & Blues Festival Line-up
Jeff Martin (The Tea Party)Emma Pask
Ray Beadle
The Strides
Lloyd Spiegel
The Foreday Riders With Ray Beadle
Pacey, King & Doley
The Detonators
Murray Cook's Soul Movers
Spurs For Jesus
Dom Turner's (Backsliders) Rural Blues Project
Martinez Akustica
Clayton Doley's Bayou Billabong
Daniel March
Steve Edmonds Plays Hendrix
Jo Fabro
Fripps & Fripps
Blues Power feat. Darren Jack & Simon Kinny-Lewis
Unlocking The Doors
Professor Groove & The Booty Affair
Adam Pringle & Friends
The Guitar Organ Drums Trio (Ray Baedle, Clayton Doley & Andrew Dickeson)
Tim Rollinson Trio
The Blues Preachers
The Don Hopkins Three
Continental Robert Susz's Juke Joint Three
Frank Sultana
Darren Jack
Glenn Whitehall
The Big Daddy Roy Payne Band
Andrew Dickeson's Blue Rhythm Band
Magic Machine
Bonnie Kay And The Bonafides
Big Daddy's Creole Blues Party
Coconut Ruffs
The Flashy Dash-Backs
Bridie King's Creole 3
The Marvellous Hearts
The Cookers: Andrew Dickeson, Yannick Koffi & Jacob Graham
George Washingmachine & Jim Pennell (STRING Time)
Leanne Paris
Bones Atlas
McDermott & North
Katie Brianna
James Van Cooper
Sons Of Atticus
Ben Leece
Tommy Gun
Dave Favours And Roadside Ashes
Jordan Kenny
Zoe K
Sam Shinazzi
Looch Lewis & The Press Gangsters
The Abby Constable Trio
Big Wheels
Steve Hunter Trio
The Pocket Trio
The New South Trio
Chloe Kay And The Crusade
Abby And Andrew And Also Arty (AAA)
Alex Gibson
Triplex
Peta Caswell
Harvey Russell
Jessica And Aidan
Dancing Fingers Guitar Trio
Lawson Doyle
Ellen Soffe
Rochelle Natoli
5 Blues Drive
Hoochie Mama
Jade Steg Band
Richard Calabro Trio
Sammy & Jimmy
Matt Charleston Band
Kim Girdlestone
Todd Kem
Julia & Noah
Emma Greenfield
School Of Rock
The Kirrawee Hs Jazz Orchestra
Sydney Youth Jazz Orchestra
