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Eleven-time Grammy nominee to perform in Christchurch

American blues master and eleven-time Grammy nominee Charlie Musselwhite will perform at the Cavell Leitch New Zealand Jazz & Blues Festival in Christchurch in April. Musselwhite, who was the inspiration for Dan Aykroyd's character in the classic Blues Brothers movie, will give a one-off concert on April 23.

"We are thrilled to be bringing blues legend Charlie Musselwhite to Christchurch for this special one-off concert - this is an opportunity not to be missed, " says festival director Jodi Wright.

Mississippi-born Musselwhite is one of the most revered blues musicians in the world. A harmonica maestro as well as a respected singer and songwriter, Musselwhite has won countless awards during his lengthy career, including Best Blues Album with Ben Harper at this year's Grammys.

He will join some of New Zealand's best jazz and blues musicians in Christchurch for the five-day Cavell Leitch New Zealand Jazz & Blues Festival, which features performances in some surprise settings around the city from 22 to 27 April.

"We have great New Zealand talent with Midge Marsden and his band, the fabulously popular Nairobi Trio, the Lizard Kings tribute to The Doors, The Icemen with Mike Frost and a wonderful line up of Christchurch's own stars of jazz, " says Ms Wright.

Three concerts in the Transitional Cathedral will bring big band sound and orchestral strings to Christchurch's newest venue.

The first of the concerts, Jazz Symposium, will feature the best Christchurch jazz players while for the second concert Jennine Bailey will team up with a jazz rhythm and blues band and 10 strings from the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. Anna Whitaker swings with her big band for the third concert.

Jazz at the Rydges will have a club-style atmosphere and showcase the musical talents of accomplished performers like George Washingmachine, Nairobi Trio, Mike Frost's Icemen Blues Band and Naomi Ferguson.

Evenings at the CPIT Jazz Auditorium will feature some great talent with two shows every night at6pm and 8pm.

"This is an intimate way to experience the subtle sounds of jazz across a wide range of genres, " says Ms Wright.

Following the success of last year's inaugural jazz dinner, three special dinners are on the menu for this year's festival goers. Black Estate wines will be matched with food from top chefs at three locations - The George, Gustav's and Black Estate - with jazz to match the food style from Harry Harrison and his band, Lisa Tui, and talented duo Tyson Smith and Keith Petch.

For those seeking some lunchtime entertainment, the Jazz for Lunch series will include three jazz piano concerts set in the foyer of the Christchurch City Council Civic Offices.

The full programme for the 2014 Cavell Leitch New Zealand Jazz & Blues Festival will be released on Friday March 7. More information about the festival will be online at www.jazzfestivalnz.com from March 7.



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