Live simply. Love completely. Sing loudly. Dance freely. Be Present in the moment. Thursday 3rd September to Sunday 6^th, the annual Noosa Jazz Festival makes its return over a long weekend of joy and jazz. The festival is the second longest running musical event in Noosa’s history, bringing the cream of Australian and international jazz talent to the Sunshine Coast each spring, and 2015 will mark the 24th anniversary of the festival. The Festival Village at Noosa Lions Park is the heart of the Noosa Jazz Festival and hosts a smorgasbord of main stage concerts, master-classes, food and market stalls to fulfill all hungers and satisfy any taste. The Festival Village is also the location for the departure of the Jazz River Cruises, letting patrons experience the elegance of the Noosa River to the tune of some amazing jazz musical performances.

Noosa Jazz Festival is more than just jazz, it features not only an array of musical genres from Jazz to Blues and Folk, but a diverse program including master classes, talent search, Legends Lunch Series, Jazz river cruises and the “Tastings on Hastings” event. Master classes provide the opportunity for patrons, musicians and music lovers to learn from some of the masters in the music and entertainment industry. Willing students have, in past years, had the opportunity to learn Boogie Woogie piano from Jan Preston, sing Acappella with the Idea of North and hear from Women in the Entertainment Industry about their lives and experiences, while at the festival.

“As a festival we exist for a moment in time – we bring you a place to come together – where you can simply “be” in a moment where nothing else exists except for you, the people you’re with and the music that surrounds you.”

Some of the world’s biggest names in Jazz are featuring this year at the festival, including the stunning Emma Pask. “The greatest gift to Australian jazz vocals in the last decade” is how James Morrison, Australia’s most awarded jazzman, has been quoted as describing Emma Pask. Her talent was spotted by James Morrison during one of his regular visits to high schools when she was just 16. She first sang with his band that night and has been touring with Morrison around Australia and overseas, ever since. While Emma’s voice and style are unique, and individually her own, her performances are reminiscent of the classic era of jazz, when swing was top of the charts. With numerous International and Australia wide performances, Emma has firmly established herself as one of this country’s favourite Jazz voices.

Darren Percival is a singer – but he now enjoys a reputation not just as one of Australia’s most accomplished entertainers but also a gold album selling recording artist, gifted musician, and dynamic radio presenter and vocal coach’. Darren came to fame through his 2012 campaign on the first season of ‘The Voice’ Australia, where he was coached by Keith Urban to become the runner up of the season. His voice is warm and powerful. Audiences are mesmerized by his stage presence, his original music and his charm. He delivers astonishing performances and he is a gifted vocalist with natural talent, imagination and skill. He’s been artistically inspired since a young age – during high school he was studying piano, singing and acting at a performing arts center in his hometown of Sydney. By the time he graduated in 1989, Australian jazz icon James Morrison had discovered Darren and together they began a decade of musical adventures.

Darren and Emma are just two of the big Australian names on the bill and are to be joined by the likes of Jan Preston and Clayton Doley in a line up sure to lead to an amazing series of performances. The festival is all about creating an unforgettable experience and anyone looking to get away from their usual day-to-day and reconnect with what’s truly important, living in the now with like-minded people and just enjoying life. For more information on the event, ticket prices and a full line-up of artists, visit the Noosa Jazz Festival page.