Samoa celebrated its first Island Jazz Festival from 10-16 September September 2001, during the week immediately following the popular Teuila Tourism Festival.

The idea was born from the lead taken by Samoa's own world renowned Jazz Vocalist Mavis Rivers and a desire to promote music and the arts to young people in Samoa, as well as promoting tourism and cross cultural cooperation in the Pacific region. The Festival is dedicated to Mavis Rivers' memory and will be an exciting event to look forward to each year, for both locals and tourists alike.

This first year's Festival featured 9-piece band Sweet Mischief from Australia, the quartet Swing Easy from New Zealand, and The Max Stowers Band from New Zealand with special guest Roslynn Mahe, as well as Samoa's own League of Nations.

From 10-13 September, Sweet Mischief and Swing Easy delighted locals with spontaneous free gigs around Apia, playing at the popular Cappucino Vineyard and Millennia Hotel, as well as a special performance at Sa'Moana Resort and fundraisers at Otto's Reef bar and Eye Spy nightclub.

The special opening dinner was held, on a beautiful Friday evening (14 Sept), at the National University campus in the large Samoan fale, and the bands entertained an estimated 250 eager dinner/show guests until the wee small hours with much dancing and enjoyment. Adding to the entertainment was Samoa's own Honourable Prime Minister, who officially opened the event on piano, much to the delight of the crowd and who, because of his performance, earned himself the news headline "Minister of Jazz" the following day.

Saturday 15 September was a special free outdoor concert for the family held on the grass area behind the government building with a beautiful Apia harbour backdrop, and plenty of food and drink stalls. The Festival culminated on Sunday 16 September with a spectacular day of jazz on the beach at Manuai Beach Cottages, Tafatafa beach, where an estimated crowd of more than 300 spent this beautiful sunny day eating, drinking, swimming and purely enjoying live music. Jazz Festival T-shirts and caps were on sale, as well as CD's from those bands performing.
 

Festival organisers were thrilled with the turnout for this first year's event and are already hard at work organising an even bigger and better Jazz Festival for next year, which will feature different venues but follow a similar program, but which will also focus on music workshops for young people.

All the bands participating in this year's inaugural Festival had a ball, thoroughly enjoying their experience and all have indicated their keen desire to return to Samoa to take part in future Jazz Festivals. Says Karen Strahan, singer and Manager of Sweet Mischief "the gang and myself had a ball. Samoa is a beautiful place, and we particularly enjoyed time off to visit the many sights and beaches. We'll definitely be back to play again if we're invited!".

The National University of Samoa's Film Unit video-taped the event, an edited version of which will be available from the Island Jazz Website: www.islandjazz.ws in the near future. Likewise, photos of the event will be posted on the website shortly. If anyone wants more information or is interested in participating in the Island Jazz Festival 2002, please visit the website and drop them a line. Also, if anyone is interested in assisting with sponsorship of this event, please contact the organisers through the website, who will be eternally grateful for any assistance received.
 

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