Leading jazz vocalist and trumpeter Vince Jones (pictured above) will join a busload of jazz talent for a tour of Queensland, including 8 FREE concerts in June.

The concerts presented by ABC Local Radio and Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (part of CQU) will be at Hamilton Island (Saturday, June 10, 'Masters of Fare' expo at entrance to the Island's main pool, noon); Mackay (Sunday, June 11, Entertainment Centre, 3pm); Emerald (Tuesday, June 13, Town Hall, 7.30pm); Rockhampton (Wednesday, June 14, Baptist Tabernacle, 7.30pm); Gladstone (Thursday, June 15, Entertainment Centre, 7.30pm); Bundaberg (Friday, June 16, Moncrieff Theatre, 7.30pm); Noosa (Saturday, June 17, Lion’s Park Noosaville, 1.30pm) and Gold Coast (Sunday, June 18, Sails Stage at Broadbeach mall, 2pm).

Advance FREE ticket bookings are via the venues at Gladstone, and Bundaberg.

Vince will join his pianist Matt McMahon, top saxophonist and former Midday Show regular Graham Jesse (pictured below) and up to 30 staff and students from the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music jazz program. The musical fare will include many familiar numbers including ‘When Sunny Gets Blue’, ‘ Do nothin’ ‘till you hear from me’, and ‘Someone in love’.

Vince Jones, who is well known to music followers with 12 CD releases to his credit, is a remarkable interpreter and composer of songs in a contemporary jazz style. He first gained a major popular following through the ABC’s hit TV ‘Come in Spinner’ series in the early 80s .

Another familiar face to many, will be top saxophonist Graham Jesse who was the regular featured soloist on Channel Nine’s Midday show for 18 years. Graham’s career as a major contributor to Australian music spans more than 30 years and he is an accomplished performer, composer, arranger and producer having worked with performers of the ilk of Peter Allen, Randy Crawford, Anthony Warlow, Frank Bennett, Kerrie Biddell, Grace Knight, Tommy Emmanuel, Ricky May and the group Silverchair.

Both Vince and Graham will be more than ably supported by performers from the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music including the CQCM Jazz Orchestra, the Latin Blues band, the Jump and Jive Band and the CQCM staff ensemble ConJazz. CQCM is a specialist school within the Arts, Humanities and Education faculty of Central Queensland University and the free concerts have been jointly funded by CQU’s Regional Centre for the Arts Fund (RCotA) and the ABC’s Regional Production Fund (RPF). Support from local councils has been integral to the tour’s viability.

As well as providing a high quality entertainment experience to people living in regional Queensland, the concert also offers an opportunity for young emerging talented musicians to perform alongside and gain invaluable experience from some of the industry’s top jazz exponents.

ENDS. For details or to arrange an interview with Vince Jones or Graham Jesse call Glen Hodges from CQCM jazz program via MOBILE 0439 763 001.