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THE Mercure Resort Gerringong will kick things off in style when it hosts the first performance of the 2015 Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival.
Favourites such as Pearlnoire, Kinetic Method and Hot Potato return to wow audiences.
Kiama Jazz & Blues Club president Steve Ivory said the only problem with the festival will be choosing which gigs to see.
"We have got a couple of one-off performers, the Foreday Riders, who really are blues legends from Sydney you shouldn't miss," Mr Ivory said.
"Another group, Pena Flamenca, as the name suggests, is a flamenco group you must see."
The weekend of jazz and blues starts on Friday, March 6, and finishes on Sunday, March 8.
There will be more than 70 gigs at 30 venues across Kiama and Gerringong town centres.
Mr Ivory is particularly excited about the return of Sydney-based group, Psycho Zydeco. The Psychos, as their fans affectionately dub them, have established themselves as the country's premier roots act specialising in the high-energy, uplifting style of music known as zydeco.
"We had them play at a function last year and the crowd just loved them.
"They have been around a long time and toured overseas," Mr Ivory said.
"There is a wealth of great music out there, including local talent, Joe Mungovan, James Vann and Sean Emmett," Mr Ivory said.
"Tommy M and the Mastersounds are an excellent young band who remind me a lot of The Cat Empire."
The Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival remains a free event despite other regional and metropolitan festivals charging audiences.
"It remains free due to the support from the town. Kiama Council is the major sponsor, then The Kiama Leagues Club, The Sebel Kiama is the next biggest contributor," he said.
"The venues themselves put up the money for the acts."
Mr Ivory is confident this year's festival offers something for everyone.
"Whether you want to tap your foot listening to bands on the street or get to an indoor venue and get on the dance floor," he said.
"You are not going to hear any bad music, it will all be fabulous."
For more information visit www.kiamajazz.com