Yet, despite being acclaimed and renowned by the local jazz world and beyond, this year the curtains have closed, and the festival will not run.

There’s no mistaking the disappointment on festival organiser, Ben Perrim’s face, although he said it’s perhaps not all doom and gloom.

“The Bellingen Jazz Festival, a long time winter favourite in the Australian jazz scene is taking a break for 2015 and reflecting on jazz festivals of past, and looking at ways of progressing into the future,” he said.

“For the past quarter of a century the festival has been a fixture on the local events calendar and has attracted friends, visitors and artists from around the world.

“It’s been delivered in varied formats, showcasing many genres and has provided a platform for local musicians, aspiring artists and students to not only experience celebrated and renowned world artists, but to play alongside them, to jam with them – to share and connect through music.

“The committee past and present is extremely proud of the quality artists that have graced the jazz festival stages over the many years and we are proud to have fostered the love of music in many a young student’s heart.”

Though cherished by many, Ben said the Bellingen Jazz Festival is a non-commercial community organisation run by a dedicated committee and backed by a small, enthusiastic, but exhausted volunteer base.

“As a not-for-profit organisation we have always endeavored to deliver a quality annual event on minimal funding, but with copious amounts of love,” he said.

“But our volunteers are retiring or exhausted and the committee is anxious about the challenges ahead.

“2014 was a fantastic year for the festival with the inclusion of a broader scope of jazz … swing showstoppers at the Bellingen Memorial Hall, intimate jazz sessions at local restaurants, cafes, halls and churches and we also expanded to include venues in Urunga, plus we added the (unfortunately rained out) Jazz Street Parade.

“However, if we have a marginal drop in ticket sales, especially in combination with dwindling volunteer numbers, this would leave the festival precarious and in light of the growing local events calendar, the festival committee feels we are not in a position to host the event for 2015”.

Local prominent musician and Bellingen Jazz Festival president, Paul Bulanyi echoes Ben’s sentiments.

“Bellingen has long been a music festival mecca on the Mid North Coast and over the years we have seen many complementary and exciting events added to the calendar and sadly some leave us as well,” Paul said.

“We strive not to become one of the fond festival memories of Bello, but look at positive ways in which to assure a future for the Bellingen Jazz Festival”.

With this in mind, Paul said an alternative event is being planned for this year called Swingtime!

“It is to be a celebration and presentation of jazz-like music in the Bellingen area and beyond,” he said.

“Features are likely to be a swing ball on Saturday night, workshops and local showcases, all at affordable prices and self-contained in the Memorial Hall. 

“Businesses will be invited to participate in a greatly improved mode of integration that would compliment the central event at the hall, with much more freedom and scope.

Paul said an AGM would be announced soon with the view to assembling a team to assess a new business model, and if approved, make preparations for Swingtime!  in August.