WRECKHOUSE JAZZ & BLUES TO ANNOUNCE LINEUP FOR 2011 WIJBF

St. John’s, NL – May 31^st, 2011 – As the summer is fast approaching, Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues (WJB) is preparing to announce the artist lineup for the 10^th annual Wreckhouse International Jazz & Blues Festival (WIJBF). Executive Director Liz Dunbar will be releasing the highly anticipated lineup on Wednesday, June 8th at 10:30am at the Rocket Bakery on Water Street. She is extremely excited to reveal to the public all of the details regarding this year’s festival taking place from July 13^th – 16^th as once again downtown St. John’s will be flooded with the rhythms and sounds of different styles of music from all across the globe.

In what is sure to be the most exciting year yet for the festival, Wreckhouse Jazz and Blues gives the people of St. John’s a unique opportunity to experience music and culture from all around the world during 4 jam packed days of concerts, workshops, and events. Since the festival began in 2001 it has grown exponentially in size and numbers, having an increase in audience of almost 400% in previous years. In this milestone year, the WIJBF promises to be the biggest event on the St. John’s Arts and Entertainment scene in 2011!

This year’s festival is sure to have a wider variety of international music than ever before, adding to the musical diversity in St. John’s. Featuring over 100 internationally acclaimed artists and the best talent Newfoundland has to offer, the 10^th annual Wreckhouse International Jazz & Blues Festival is sure to be one to remember.

Come join WJB on June 8^th at 10:30am at the Rocket Bakery for some fantastic live entertainment as the exciting lineup for the 2011 Wreckhouse International Jazz & Blues Festival is announced, running from July 13^th – 16^th in downtown St. John’s.

To keep up to date with the latest festival details, check out WJB on our website,  facebook, twitter, myspace, and wordpress.

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For more information please contact:
Ben Waring at 709-739-7734
ben@wreckhousejazzandblues.com

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Wreckhouse International Jazz and Blues Festival Line-up Announced Soon

Wreckhouse International Jazz and Blues Festival are proud to announce their 10^th anniversary!  Since beginning in 2002, we have been bringing jazz, blues and world musics culture and tradition to Newfoundland and this year is no exception.

We will begin to announce the 2011 performers in the days and weeks to come so keep your eyes and ears open.  On June 1, the full line-up will be announced during our Media Launch and Festival Passes and select tickets will be available online.  For further information on Media Launch please contact Ben at 709.739.7734 or by email at ben@wreckhousejazzandblues.com

Keep up to date with the latest Festival news @…….

The Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues website

WJB Facebook page

Twitter feed

Congratulations to 2010 WIJBF Performer Alex Cuba on his Latin Grammy win

Watch the video of Alex winning the New Artist Latin Grammy.

Sponsor of the Week: YellowBelly Brewery & Public House

The 2010 Wreckhouse International Jazz & Blues Festival would not have been possible without the support of our corporate and media sponsors.  To show our appreciation for their support, Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues (WJB) will be showcasing a different sponsor each week.  This week’s sponsor of the week is YellowBelly Brewery & Public House.

Sitting where George Street intercepts Water Street, YellowBelly is a testament in stone and masonry to a time long gone.  This cornerstone of the Water Street Historic District has a long an significant historical association with commercial activities in old St. John’s.  Its five floors of character-filled brewery pub, dining, and event space offer unmatched historical atmosphere infused with forward-thinking cuisine.  Sample their specialty wood-fired pizzas and gourmet burgers in the dining room, or in their cozy pub setting.  Be sure to wash it all down with one of their crafted beers.  You truly can’t get this stuff anywhere else!

YellowBelly Brewery supports the Wreckhouse International Jazz & Blues Festival by providing a performance venue for Festival events.  The performance area located on the third and fourth floors of their historic property features ample seating space, access to two bars, and a beautiful stone masonry wall to backdrop all performances.  The atmosphere is fresh and refined, offering a venue where modern and historic elements blend seamlessly.  It was the perfect place for 2010 WIJBF artists the Creaking Tree String Quartet, the Forgotten Bouzouki, and the Griffith Hiltz Trio.

WJB would like to acknowledge and express gratitude for the contributions of YellowBelly Brewery and Public House, the Sponsor of the Week!

Sponsor of the Week: Coast 101.1FM

The 2010 Wreckhouse International Jazz & Blues Festival would not have been possible without the support of our corporate and media sponsors.  To show our appreciation for their support, Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues (WJB) will be showcasing a different sponsor each week.  This week’s sponsor of the week is Coast 101.1 FM.

Coast 101.1 is proud to feature the only Jazz & Blues shows on commercial radio in St. John’s.  The Friday Night Blues Block 8pm-10pm is a combination of Atlantic Canadian Blues with The Blues Own and international blues with House of Blues.  Sundays, The Coast features our own Cool Jazz On The Coast hosted by local musician Bill Sharpe from Billy & The Bruisers.  Cool Jazz On The Coast gives St. John`s an accordion free alternative to wake up a Sunday morning.  Coast 101.1 is proud to be a part of the Jazz & Blues community in St. John`s.

Coast 101.1 had a solid presence during the 2010 Wreckhouse International Jazz & Blues Festival.  From Wednesday to Sunday, Coast 101.1 hosted the Happy Hour stage outside on the deck at the Martini Bar.  Audience members enjoyed the beautiful sunshine and were captivated by performance by the Kelly Ann Evans Band, the Brad Jefford Trio Plus, the Al Robman Quintet, and more.  As a long-time media sponsor, Coast 101.1 is a mainstay of the promotion and implementation of Festival events.

WJB would like to acknowledge and express gratitude for the contributions of Coast 101.1 FM, the Sponsor of the Week!

Festivals Never Sleep

The 2010 WIJBF was a resounding success but we are not resting on our laurels. Preparation has already begun to build on our world class festival for 2011. Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues is excited to extend an invitation to all current and potential donors and sponsors to join us to celebrate another milestone: the 10th anniversary of the Wreckhouse International Jazz & Blues Festival!

An early investment will help to provide opportunities to aspiring artists, educate young jazz, blues and world music enthusiasts, create employment, diversify and grow the city’s cultural heritage, and promote St. John’s as a world-class cultural tourism destination. Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues is more than the festival; it presents a year round calendar of events and is significant contributor to the music and arts community in Newfoundland.

In the coming weeks, Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues will re-tool its sponsorship structure to provide even better flexibility, ingenuity and value without sacrificing the previous opportunities to actively engage our audience and enjoy a solid return on your investment. That’s part of Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues’ commitment to and appreciation for its supporters. Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues looks forward to your enduring support as together we build upon the fabulous success of the past ten years.

To find out more about sponsorship and how to get involved with Wreckhouse Jazz and Blues Please contact us,

Liz Dunbar ,  Executive Director, liz@wreckhousejazzandblues.com ,

Ben Waring, Marketing & Communications ben@wreckhousejazzandblues.com

Festival Never Sleeps PDF

Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues’ Executive Director leaving post

Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues (WJB) is undergoing some changes at the top. Our beloved founder and Executive/Artistic Director, Kirk Newhook is leaving his post with the organization. Kirk has always been an important advocate for arts and culture in St. John’s and at the centre of diversifying the music scene in our vibrant city for almost a decade. He took his dream of expanding the musical heritage of St. John’s and created an organization and festival that has become a cornerstone event in the city’s cultural offerings. He has lead WJB through its formative years, and leaves a healthy and robust organization ready to move into the next phase of development. We owe Kirk a tremendous debt of appreciation and gratitude.

Kirk leaves WJB to take on a new role as a Sun Life Financial Advisor. Of his experience with Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues, Kirk said: “I am very proud of the contribution that the Festival has made to the local, national and international music scene.  It’s taken a tremendous amount of hard work, but I’ve been fortunate to have been surrounded by hundreds of great people; performers, volunteers, staff, directors, sponsors, government funders, industry colleagues and family who have shared in the vision and helped to build and sustain the momentum that’s now unstoppable. I am comfortable with my decision to step down from the ED role because of the stability that the organization has achieved, and feel very confident that the Wreckhouse International Jazz & Blues Festival will continue on well into the future.”

Although this will bring about great change in the organization be assured that, “We’re not going anywhere”, says Jim Price, president of the WJB Board of Directors. “Kirk has planted a seed that has allowed the festival to grow over the last 9 years. The organization is determined to see our vision realized and continues to contribute to the artistic community of St. John’s for many years to come”

Taking over as Executive Director is Liz Dunbar, the former Marketing & Operations Manager. “I am honoured and excited to take on this new role with WJB. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue working with this enthusiastic community and hope to foster the amazing growth the jazz, blues and world music community has seen over the past decade in Newfoundland. I look forward to many more years of outstanding music and community spirit.”

Kirk Newhook will become the festival’s volunteer Artistic Director. “Kirk will continue to bring a strong artistic focus and continuity to our festival’s programming, while Liz will continue to achieve WJB’s long-term goals,” says Jim.

Among the challenges Liz hopes to tackle as Executive Director of WJB is expanding the art form’s audience. “We must connect with younger audiences and make jazz less intimidating”. She will work closely with Wreckhouse Jazz and Blues Board of Directors, staff and volunteers, as well as Kirk to ensure that the Wreckhouse International Jazz & Blues Festival continues to be a landmark event in Newfoundland’s cultural landscape.

The organization has already started planning for the WIJBF’s 10^th anniversary in 2011 and hopes to confirm some of its headliners before the New Year.

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For more information please contact:

Liz Dunbar at 709-739-7734

liz@wreckhousejazzandblues.com