Jazz festival plan for Orange with 50 concerts over three days

Orange City Council has been recommended to provide $50,000 to help establish the festival over its first three years.

JAM Orange has proposed having two major concerts at the Civic Theatre with acts of the standard of Kate Ceberano, Katie Noonan, James Morrison and The Necks. on the Friday and Saturday nights.

A further 50 one-hour concerts would be held at venues within walking distance of the theatre.

It is proposed at least half of the acts would be local musicians.

In a submission to council JAM Orange said the festival would run from 5pm on Friday and from 1pm on Saturday and Sunday.

It said it aimed to bring "world class jazz" to Orange.

"In the case of regional Australia we are somewhat disadvantaged by a lack of choice and it is common for our residents to go to Sydney to attend concerts or to music festivals in other parts of Australia," it said.

"An annual jazz festival in Orange is a step change to bring the musicians to Orange.

"The local Orange musicians will be presenting their own music, which may not necessarily be jazz. And there will also be a free stage for local amateur musicians."

It said the June long weekend was suitable as it would bring "life to the city in winter" and there was little competition from other events.

A suggested budget said a concert with acts of the standard of Kate Ceberano would cost about $25,000 while others would cost about $15,000 to put on.

It proposes festival tickets would cost about $90 each.

A staff report to council said such a festival would offer diversity from the 'food and wine banner' of other events in Orange to appeal to wider audiences.

It recommends JAM Orange would be required to supply quarterly financial reports over three years to council.