Big Wing on Manly stage

Jazz with a distinct Japanese touch featured at this year's Manly International Jazz Festival, held on the September 29 weekend. Japanese band Big Wing Jazz Orchestra was the headline act for the outdoor event held annually on Sydney's northern beaches. Featuring 72 performances across five outdoor stages, the festival attracts both Australian and international jazz bands. A true "big band", the 18 members of Big Wing Jazz Orchestra earned a standing ovation for their skilful performance of original arrangements. The band is a past winner of a jazz event held in Tokyo's Taito-ku area, which is Manly's sister city. Following the festival, Big Wing musicians rehearsed with Manly High School's senior jazz band and a joint concert is planned to promote interaction between the two cities. This year marked the 30th anniversary of the festival, which is the largest jazz event in NSW.