Around 16,000 Queenslanders have flocked to concerts featuring Grace Knight and CQU’s Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music jazz orchestra.

The tour finished on Hamilton Island last night (Monday, July 8) after visiting Noosa, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Cairns, Magnetic Island and Mackay.

Promoted by ABC Radio, the tour was also supported by the QR tilt train and city councils along the route.

It featured trumpeter Don Rader and singer Sharny Russell. Performances in Noosa and Rockhampton were broadcast live through ABC Radio.

Dean of the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Professor Jim Mienczakowski said the project had been a major success in terms of audience response, sponsor support, quality of music and profile for the jazz program and CQU’s Faculty of Education and Creative Arts.

"I've never seen a group of staff and students love their work so much! And why not? They are simply so good at it! The jazz orchestra is not so much a CQCM touring outfit - but a Queensland institution in their own right. We are proud that they are in our faculty and are ambassadors for jazz, young musicianship and for excellence in Central Queensland,” Professor Mienczakowski said.

Caption 1: Glen Hodges (guitar) was one of the tour leaders.

Caption 2: Sharny Russell, Glen Hodges, Don Rader, Derrin Kerr and Grace Knight featured during the 2003 ABC Radio jazz tour of Queensland.