Written by Baie Perryman, one of our Country to Canberra teen bloggers
Held in my hometown of Mount Gambier, Generations in Jazz is one of the biggest jazz festivals in the Southern Hemisphere. To a town of 27,000, isolated from any major cities, this festival brings over 5,500 school children, their teachers, and many supporters. Not only is Generations in Jazz a chance for bands and choirs from all over Australia to compete against each other, it attracts international artists to perform and run masterclass workshops with the students who attend. This year the artists performing were long-time Generation supporter Ross Irwin and his band The Cat Empire, founder James Morrison, and global jazz sensation, vocalist Patti Austin. In addition to these ‘headline’ acts, various other international stars performed and conducted workshops.
I was lucky enough to participate in this festival as a member of my school’s choir in Division 2. Whilst the performance aspect of the festival is one that is prepared for, and talked about the most, I was more interested in the atmosphere. It is incredible to be surrounded by likeminded people, from around the country, all creating the same kind of music. It is these sorts of events that allow people from my town, and all over the country to dream big and follow their passions.
One of the most amazing aspects of Generations in Jazz is the overwhelming support it gathers from community groups and individuals. The majority of the three day event is run by volunteers – from ushering us all into the big top tent to standing in the rain to conduct traffic, it is volunteers who are the real champions of the event.
Next year, I will be unable to participate in Generations in Jazz as I will have left school, but James Morrison is anticipating it to be bigger than ever. International schools will come all the way to little, rainy Mount Gambier to enjoy a weekend full of fun. I count myself lucky to have Generations in Jazz right on my doorstep, being able to perform, participate in workshops, see some really big names ‘do their thing’, and witness my community come together.