Bay of Islands Jazz & Blues Festival

Each August, the Bay of Islands comes alive with the smooth sounds of jazz and the soulful energy of blues as one of New Zealand’s longest-running music festivals takes over Paihia and Russell. For three days, more than 40 acts from New Zealand, Australia, Japan, the United States, and beyond perform across multiple venues, creating an immersive musical experience that draws enthusiasts back year after year. With nearly four decades of history behind it, the Bay of Islands Jazz & Blues Festival has become an institution, showcasing world-class performers in intimate settings while taking advantage of the region’s stunning winter beauty and relaxed atmosphere.

The Event at a Glance

The Bay of Islands Jazz & Blues Festival runs over three days in mid-August, typically spanning a Friday through Sunday. More than 40 bands and solo artists perform across six to seven venues split between Paihia and Russell, with each location hosting multiple acts throughout the day and evening. The multi-venue format allows attendees to move freely between performances, following their favourite artists or discovering new ones as they explore different spaces.

Weekend badges provide access to all venues across the three days, offering exceptional value for the amount of live music on offer. Day passes are available for those who can’t commit to the full weekend, though regulars insist the three-day experience captures the festival’s true spirit. Festival headquarters at the Scenic Hotel in Paihia serves as the central point for badge collection and information, with staff ready to help attendees navigate the programme and plan their weekend.

The compact geography of both Paihia and Russell means all venues are within easy walking distance, though a shuttle bus runs between Paihia locations to make moving around even simpler. For those wanting to experience venues in both towns, a weekend ferry pass is available, turning the short water crossing into another part of the festival experience. Street performances add to the atmosphere, with musicians appearing throughout both towns between scheduled sets, creating moments of unexpected discovery.

Three Days of Musical Discovery

Friday evening kicks off the festival with performances starting in the late afternoon and running into the night. The opening night carries a sense of anticipation as attendees collect their badges, study the printed programme, and make initial decisions about which acts to prioritize. Multiple venues operating simultaneously means choices need to be made, though the flexible format allows for changing plans as the night unfolds.

Saturday is traditionally the festival’s biggest day, with music running from late morning through to midnight or beyond. The variety of acts ensures there’s always something happening across the jazz and blues spectrum, from traditional New Orleans-style jazz to contemporary blues rock, instrumental virtuosity to powerful vocal performances. Attendees develop patterns, returning to favoured venues between explorations of new spaces, gradually building a sense of the festival’s full scope.

Sunday maintains momentum with another full day of performances, though the schedule typically winds down earlier in the evening. Final performances often take on a celebratory character, with musicians who’ve played throughout the weekend sometimes joining each other for collaborations. The closing hours carry a bittersweet quality as attendees acknowledge another year’s festival drawing to a close.

World-Class Acts in Intimate Settings

The festival’s reputation for quality has grown steadily over nearly four decades, attracting internationally recognized performers who appreciate the event’s character and the audiences’ genuine appreciation for the music. Acts from the United States, Australia, and Japan join New Zealand’s finest jazz and blues musicians, creating lineups that would be impossible for any single venue to assemble on its own.

Japanese ensemble Chihiro Yamazaki + Route 14 Band has become a festival favourite, bringing their infectious “Singing Instruments” style that blends jazz, funk, and pop into crowd-pleasing performances that transcend language barriers. Their energy and virtuosity represent the festival’s international dimension while demonstrating how jazz and blues create connections across cultures.

New Zealand legends including the Nairobi Trio, Jan Preston, and Midge Marsden have graced festival stages multiple times, with their returning presence speaking to the event’s significance within the country’s music scene. These established artists share the programme with emerging talent, creating opportunities for newer musicians to reach audiences who appreciate their craft. Australian performers add another layer, with acts crossing the Tasman specifically for the festival, recognizing the Bay of Islands event as worthy of international travel.

The festival showcases the full spectrum of jazz and blues styles. Traditional jazz finds space alongside contemporary interpretations, while blues ranges from Delta-influenced acoustic performances to electric blues rock that fills venues with energy. Guitar virtuosos demonstrate technical mastery, powerful vocalists command attention, and tight ensembles show what’s possible when musicians truly listen to each other. The variety means even dedicated jazz or blues enthusiasts discover new approaches to familiar traditions.

Multiple Venues, Diverse Atmospheres

Russell’s venues include the historic Duke of Marlborough Hotel and the Nauti Penguin, each offering distinct characters that suit different acts and moods. The Duke’s waterfront setting and heritage atmosphere create intimacy that suits acoustic performances and smaller ensembles, while the Nauti Penguin’s layout accommodates larger crowds drawn to more energetic acts.

Paihia’s venue collection typically includes the Scenic Hotel, Paihia Sports Bar, Paihia Club, and other locations that each bring their own vibe to the festival. The Scenic Hotel’s function spaces provide professional staging and sound, Twin Pines Manor offers a beautifully restored historic setting with gardens, while the Sports Bar and Club create more casual atmospheres where the lines between performers and audiences blur. This variety means attendees can match their mood to their venue choice, seeking out intimate acoustic moments or diving into packed rooms where the energy is palpable.

The freedom to move between venues transforms the festival into an adventure. You might start an evening watching a renowned guitarist in a hushed, attentive room, then wander to a venue where a high-energy band has the crowd on their feet, before finishing the night with a late set in a small space where the performer feels almost within arm’s reach. This flexibility is central to the festival’s appeal—no two attendees experience exactly the same weekend.

More Than Just Music

The festival attracts a community of returning attendees who book accommodation immediately after one festival ends to secure their spot for the following year. Friendships formed around shared musical appreciation reunite annually, with the festival becoming a marker in people’s calendars they plan other commitments around. First-timers are welcomed into this community, discovering that jazz and blues audiences are notably welcoming and eager to share their enthusiasm.

The winter timing adds unexpected appeal. August in the Bay of Islands means cooler temperatures but often stunning clear days, with the region’s usual summer crowds absent. The festival brings life to what would otherwise be a quieter period, with local cafes, restaurants, and bars benefiting from the influx of music enthusiasts. The combination of world-class music and off-peak tourism pricing makes the festival particularly attractive for those who prefer experiencing the Bay of Islands without summer’s intensity.

Street performances throughout Paihia and Russell mean the festival atmosphere extends beyond ticketed venues. Musicians set up in public spaces, drawing crowds of both text-bg-holders and curious tourists who’ve stumbled upon the music. These impromptu performances capture the spirit of jazz and blues—music that thrives on spontaneity and connection—while giving the entire Bay of Islands a musical soundtrack for the weekend.

A Long-Standing Tradition

Running for nearly 40 years with only two interruptions, the Bay of Islands Jazz & Blues Festival has become one of New Zealand’s most enduring music events. That longevity reflects the dedication of organizers who’ve maintained quality and character through changing musical landscapes and economic conditions. The festival has weathered challenges while staying true to its core purpose: bringing excellent jazz and blues to audiences who appreciate it.

The event’s survival and growth speak to genuine demand for live jazz and blues performed to high standards. In an era when recorded music is ubiquitous, the festival offers something technology can’t replicate—musicians and audiences sharing space, with performances shaped by room acoustics, audience energy, and the unpredictable magic that happens when skilled performers feed off their surroundings.

Local venues and businesses have supported the festival for decades, recognizing both the economic benefit and the cultural value of hosting an event of this calibre. The festival enhances the Bay of Islands’ reputation beyond its natural beauty and water activities, demonstrating the region’s commitment to arts and culture. For musicians, appearing at the Bay of Islands Jazz & Blues Festival represents recognition of their craft, while for audiences, it provides access to performances they’d otherwise need to travel to major centres to experience.

Plan Your Visit

If jazz and blues interest you, the Bay of Islands Jazz & Blues Festival deserves consideration. The three-day format allows genuine immersion in the music, while the multi-venue structure ensures variety and discovery. Weekend badges offer best value and fullest experience, though day passes provide flexibility for those with limited time or wanting to sample the festival before committing to future full weekends.

Accommodation books up well in advance, with many regular attendees reserving their preferred places immediately after one festival ends. The festival organizers maintain relationships with local accommodation providers, making it easier for newcomers to find suitable options, though booking early remains essential. Staying in either Paihia or Russell works well, with the ferry connecting both towns throughout the day and evening.

The printed programme distributed with badges helps navigate the dense schedule, though many attendees develop strategies only after experiencing their first festival. Some plan meticulously, mapping out must-see acts, while others prefer following intuition and recommendations from fellow attendees. Both approaches work, and discovering your own rhythm becomes part of the experience.

For full event details, artist lineups, ticket sales, accommodation information, and updates on the coming year’s festival, visit the Bay of Islands Music Festivals website.