NOTE TO EDITORS: Minister to co-host opening night of St. John�s Jazz Festival

Tom Hedderson, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, will bring greetings during the St. John�s Jazz Festival opening reception at the Majestic Theatre today (Wednesday, July 19) at 6 p.m.

Following the reception, the minister will co-host the St. John�s Jazz Festival opening night concert entitled Ladies of Jazz beginning at 8 p.m.

At the reception, Larra Skye, a 22-year old singer/songwriter from Toronto, will be performing a variety of selections from her debut album The World Disappears. Ms. Skye is being touted as �Canada�s newest emerging talent.�

The concert will feature performances by the Tena Palmer Trio and the Melissa Stylianou Quartet. Ms. Palmer is an award winning Canadian singer, composer and experimental musician who is best known for her work with the Celtic Jazz quartet, Chelsea Bridge. She currently resides in Ottawa.

Melissa Stylianou has headlined at major jazz festivals in Ontario and her skills as composer/lyricist have received critical acclaim across the country. Ms. Stylianou currently lives in New York studying composition, theory and vocal technique.

The St. John�s Jazz Festival takes place from July 19 to July 23 and showcases a variety of local, national and international talent. Concerts will take place at the MUN School of Music, the Majestic Theatre, The Republic and Harbourside Park.

�I am looking forward to a great evening of jazz and I encourage everyone to check out the festivities in St. John�s over the next five days,� said Minister Hedderson.

�There are even daytime outdoor shows that welcome children to the jazz scene. This government is proud to help support the St. John�s Jazz Festival and I commend the organizers who work so hard to promote greater awareness and appreciation of jazz in Newfoundland and Labrador. It all adds up to a rich cultural experience for the residents of this province.�

For more information and festival details visit www.stjohnsjazzfestival.com.

Media representatives are invited to attend.

Media contact: Susanne Hiller, Communications, (709) 729-0928, 728-7762, susannehiller@gov.nl.ca

2006 07 19                                              10:40 a.m.