The Hunter Valley’s longest-running music festival, Jazz In The Vines, will make its curtain call in 2016 after 24 years.
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The news follows speculation that 2015's event may have been the final event, but organisers have confirmed that there will be one last hurrah.
The festival's statement in September last year cited "rising costs, international competition and a flat economy are all contributing to the decline of events around Australia" as the death knell of Jazz in the Vines.
The final festival will take place at Tyrrell's Vineyard on October 29 with a lineup including Australian rockers Mental As Anything, English disco legend Leo Sayer, Jazz regular James Morrison, Lisa Hunt (a crowd favourite in the more recent years), Emma Pask, Monica Trapaga, John Morrison’s Swing City Big Band, Dale Barlow, Bob Barnard, George Golla and Ondawon.
Festival organiser Grant Smith says it is the chance for fans of all ages to enjoy “one final party”.
“t’s always been about the music, food, wine and dance; it’s Australia’s biggest mosh pit with over six hectares of freedom to enjoy a spectacular day in the fresh air and sunshine,” he said.
“Jazz in the Vines is much more than just the music with the festival site taking on a vibrancy of its own with various market stalls, wine, restaurants and produce in the spacious, laid-back setting that Jazz in the Vines has made its trademark.
Jazz In The Vines started in 1992 with a crowd of 3000.
It was a pioneer of outdoor music festivals, with Byron Bay Blues the only other of its kind at the time.