Australia's best know jazz band is gearing up for the concert of a lifetime, when it appears at the International ASB JazzFest in October.

"It's one thing to appear in Queenstown but to play a major outdoor concert, looking out over the lake and the mountains will be unreal," Galapagos Duck band member Greg Foster said speaking from New South Wales yesterday.

The band, which enjoyed packed venues throughout Australia, was also delighted with the festival organisers? decision to make the opening Earnslaw Park concert, free.

"We are rapt to be invited to launch the festival and we plan to give a concert that will blow everyone away," Foster said.

The band comprises Foster on trombone and harmonica, John Conley on electric and double bass, power house drummer and vocalist Rod Ford, key board player Matt Baker and Adrian Cunningham on clarinet, flute and saxophones.

"It's a hot sound and in the Earnslaw Park setting with the addition of Central Otago wine and great food, this will be the concert of the year," Festival organiser Harvey Maguire said.

The 'Duck' had a huge following and the concert was already attracting national and international interest.

"The ASB JazzFest is all about bringing music to the community. Thanks to ASB we are in a position to be able to gift a big ticket band like the 'Duck' and give everyone a party they will remember," Mr Maguire said.

The free international opening concert will take place at Earnslaw Park on Saturday October 14 from 5.30-7.30pm.

ENDS

For further information please contact Harvey Maguire 03 442 7061.

By: Sarah