A Weekend in the Buddha Bar

High in the alpine environment of Thredbo and the crisp (and I mean 'crisp') mountain air and sunny skies the 26th Thredbo Jazz Festival came to life on Friday evening and went through to the early hours of this morning.

In recent years the "Jazz" part of the festival was expanded to "Jazz, Funk and Groove" and the world wide range of musical experience put on show this weekend extended even beyond those bounds to the point where at times I felt I was sitting in the Buddha Bar - a Parisian restaurant renown for putting-on, recording and publishing exotic world music.

There were medieval songs of Spanish, Arabic and Judean folklore, the amazing sounds and instruments of the three members of Afrobeat from Ghana, Sudan and Australia, spaghetti western music, gypsy music, Mexican, Latin American, mind tripping Indian music complete with sitar and tabla, music from 60's movies, rock from late 60s early 70s (Lou Reed and Bowie), and yes, varied forms of Jazz and the Kirrawee High School big band, the New Orleans styled: Hot Potato and more - so much more and yet, I got to see at least some of every band/ensemble/group/...

The artists, the sound guys, the sponsors (thank you Yalumba), Thredbo Chamber of Commerce, of course Jen and the volunteers and most of all the audiences all came together and made a magical weekend for all. A big 'thank you' to everyone involved.

There were not the crowds of some past festivals, sad for operators but it meant getting a seat and a good view was not difficult. In the more intimate venues the small crowds made for special times.

Our next big event in Thredbo will be the opening winter weekend - less than 5 weeks away. Accommodation is still available but won't last long.

Braving the chilly morning air - The Kirrawee High School Band - always great

Lionel Robinson & the Dukes of Lounge
Carolina Moon Ensemble

Tek Tek
Indiajiva

Afrobeat / Reggae Spirit
from the Sudan, Ghana & Australia

Fascinating sounds and native musical instruments

Hot Potato are always entertaining with a lot of audience interaction

The Village Square and Squatters Run apartments
a focal point for outdoor entertainment in Thredbo

In a huddle - may be because it was so cold in the shadows
but it was beautifully warm in the sun

Some found the need to get away from the crowd in what ever manner possible ;-)

Nigel Gavin & Richard Adams - two members of The Nairobi Trio
with truly amazing sounds from guitar and violin

I haven't checked to see if the new bridge over Merritts Creek has been installed to complete the new High Noon bypass ski run but will endeavour to do so this week.

The new Kosi chair cable is being fitted today under a brilliant sun. I think the mountain crew were lucky not to have to deal with snow as well as the heavy frosts but that's not far off.

The charts look good for a lot more coooolldd air pushing through.