In its ninth year, the free Eltham Jazz and Blues Heritage Festival transforms the Eltham township into a vibrant centre of jazz, blues and gospel music. Along with the music, locals and visitors can enjoy the great mix of food, wine, art and shopping available in the Eltham shopping precinct.
Highlights of the 2008 program included:
* The Nillumbik Collective, a series of performances from local musicians who all work at the musical frontiers where jazz meets folk/world music.
* Mainstream jazz with Ted Hamilton and The A Team. Ted has got together with some of Melbourne's finest musicians to perform a concert of classic jazz standards.
* Hot Latin rhythms and swinging grooves from the 20 piece big band The Movin' and Groovin' Orchestra will get the Town Square jumping on Saturday night.
* Rodney Waterman and Joe Chindamo will combine for a very exciting and unique misical collaboration to present a concert of Brazilian, European and original material.
* The Melbourne Singers of Gosp[el will perform as part of the traditional Sunday parade and gospel service.
* Vocalist/musician Michelle Nicolle and percussionist Ronnie Ferella will work with the Youth Work Ensemble and will be presenting a concert of new work for the Festival.
Next year's, 2009, Festival is already being planned. Information about the program will be made available closer to the event which will happen on the 24 and 25 January 2009.
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