Jazz in the Garden
Get out your jazz hands for the Historic Houses Trust's longest running public event
By Sarah Norris
Vaucluse House is not the best example of a stately home in town: a mish-mash of architectural styles, it lacks a formal entrance and is unresolved in terms of its layout. It does, however, offer a spectacular setting for a spot of jazz and puts on a dazzling do once a year.
"Jazz in the Garden is the HHT's longest running public program event," says the event coordinator Nicola Sinclair. "Music really is a fantastic way of helping people engage with bricks and mortar. Also Vaucluse House first opened to the public during the period recognised as 'the golden age of jazz', so it is a fitting genre for a music festival there."
Not that Sydneysiders need much encouragement to visit one of Sydney's more impressive 19th century harbourside residences. "Being in the estate feels like being transported back in time to another world of gentrified living, complete with kitchen gardens, pleasure gardens, spacious lawn and fountain, there is even a meadow and paddock beach," says Sinclair.
To complement the surrounds, the music program will feature Katie Noonan and her jazz trio Elixir; Kristin Berardi, who will premiere new big-band jazz music with the 16-piece Jazzgrove Mothership Orchestra; and the eclectic sounds of The Crusty Suitcase Band. "It is a great vibe. There are families and friends of all ages enjoying a picnic, kicking back and chilling out to fine music in magical surrounds. It's a really well-loved event."
Jazz in the Garden is on Sun 23 Nov at Vaucluse House.