The Wellington Jazz Festival has announced the first of its major international acts to perform at the inaugural festival, from 5 - 8 March 2009. The first confirmed Festival headliner is the Mingus Big Band, direct from New York to perform at the Michael Fowler Headliner Series. The 14-piece band is devoted to continuing the legacy of Charlie Mingus, the late great jazz composer and virtuoso bass player.Setting the stage for other world class acts, the Jazz Festival is creating a purpose built jazz club in the Wellington Town Hall, the Pacific Blue Note. The intimate and atmospheric club will be the hub of the festival with up to five sessions daily of jazz, blues, gospel, and family shows to improvised jams, from dawn to past the midnight hour. Among the artists confirmed to play at the Pacific Blue Note are thought-provoking bluesman Otis Taylor; vibraphonist/vocalist and pioneer of jazz/funk Roy Ayers; the adventurous jazz, classical and rock pianist Brad Mehldau; blues troubadour Eric Bibb; and the 'Polish Miles Davis' - classic and cool trumpeter Tomasz Stanko. Along with an extensive line-up in the Michael Fowler Center, Pacific Blue Note and Ilott theatres, the Wellington Jazz Festival will also present a free programme of jazz in Civic Square, ranging from vintage jazz to roots, rhythm and reggae. Wellington Jazz Festival Artistic Director, Lissa Twomey, said "our inaugural Jazz Festival is for everyone, from the passers-by to the dedicated hard-core jazz enthusiasts." "Over four days, we're offering a wide musical palette of traditional and contemporary jazz, Latin, rhythm 'n' blues, gospel, soul and more. The programme is designed so that audiences can discover how far the roots of jazz stretch into so many of the musical styles and genres we enjoy." Supported by Wellington City Council and managed by the New Zealand International Arts Festival, the 2009 Wellington Jazz Festival promises to be the highlight of the New Zealand music calendar next year. The full line-up will be announced on January 21, 2009. Jazz Festival 06/12/08