World-class views and world-class jazz. That's what Jazz By The Beach in Scarborough (Perth) will deliver (27-28 August), according to the festival founder and organiser Catherine Summers.
"The festival was so well received last year, even in the middle of COVID," begins Catherine. "We've been able to capitalise on that success."Last year we had a shoestring budget, but this year we've got some proper funding, with a bigger grant from the City of Stirling, plus the Scarborough Beach Association made a sizeable contribution.
"All this action is getting behind local music and local artists, and is a testament to the belief in putting an event on the calendar and promoting local."
Summers is a Perth-based jazz singer and bandleader, so she wears two hats as both an artist and a promoter, and that's clearly in the DNA of the festival blueprint.
Essentially this is a festival put on by a musician for music lovers and artists. "I'm really passionate about showcasing what we have here, which is world-class talent," enthuses Catherine.
"There will be over 80 musicians playing that weekend if you add up how many people are in each band."
Jazz of all genres will be on the bill, in the day and well into the night, against a peerless backdrop of white sands and crystal waters, and all within walking distance.
"Scarborough's the only spot in Perth that has four or five venues along the coast, and we are creating a 'jazz your way through the day' vibe, with performances during brunch, then lunch, late lunch, sundowner into the evening, and then the late-night session."
Each event has been tailored to suit the venue. "So Libby Hammer – the local queen of jazz divas – she's here with her trio. Imagine: it will be a fully-packed bar, and you would literally be able to reach out and touch her.
"Similarly, Adam Hall would usually be on stage with a big band – totally inaccessible and not intimate at all – and yet we've got him here with a trio."
Summers herself has two fully-staged shows – a New Orleans full-brass nine-piece band black tie & flapper event, and her six-piece band Re-Imagined performing songs by Amy Winehouse, Coldplay and Beyoncé among others, in a floor-to-ceiling glass ocean view room, at sundown.
Most of the venues are indoors and al fresco, so the festival will not depend on the weather, and most of the ticket prices have been kept low to make the event as accessible as possible.
"The festival's got a New Orleans feel in that we want it to spill out onto the streets – we've got a dance workshop and a six-piece band at the markets, which is literally on the esplanade.
"That's a real outdoor, kid-friendly, dance-the-afternoon-away thing."
Jazz By The Beach will run the gamut from a Gatsby-style swing band to intimate trios, playing bebop, hard bop, blues, free jazz, jazz funk and soul. With classic standards to renditions of our modern songs and plenty of original compositions, it's entertainment of the highest calibre, not to be missed.
Jazz By The Beach takes place at various locations in Scarborough (Perth) 27-28 August.
Jazz By The Beach 2022 Line-up
A Swinging Gatsby Jazz Soiree with Catherine Summers' New Orleans NineThe Adam Hall Trio
The Basilio Brothers: Dean Martin & Frank Sinatra In Concert
Beyond The Sea with Simone Craddock
The Brodie Stewart & Russell Holmes Trios
Homage To The Great Vocalists: Reece Clark
Jazz Party! In The Style Of Postmodern Jukebox: Claire Fahie
Jazz Soul Sessions Part I with Carrie Pereira and Joe Southwell
Jazz Soul Sessions Part II with Micheal Pignéguy Sextet featuring Solomon Pitt
Late Night Jazz Sessions The Libby Hammer Trio
REIMAGINED Sundowner feat. Catherine Summers six-piece
The Ricki Malet Trio
Swingin' At the Savoy
The Tristan Wills & Harry Mitchell Trios
