11 Apr 2012

Jazz festival back in Christchurch

2:56 pm on 11 April 2012

The New Zealand International Jazz and Blues Festival begins in Christchurch on Wednesday evening.

It was cancelled last year because of the February earthquake.

Seventeen artists from New Zealand and around the world will perform over the coming week.

Trustee Tom Rainey says organisers have faced a number of challenges - the biggest being the lack of venues.

A number of events will take place in a temporary facility in Hagley Park.

Performances will take also place at the CBS arena and the CPIT Jazz school.

Mr Rainey says Christchurch needs more events to help it get back on its feet.