The world's biggest saxophony, big bands and waterside jazz for cold, winter blues

The 21^st Darling Harbour Jazz and Blues Festival is Australia’s biggest free music event, but not satisfied with that, organizers are aiming for the world’s biggest ever saxophony this long weekend.

Taipei holds the current world record when 918 musicians blew chorus in 2008, but harborside Saturday at 11 a.m. even more are expected to show up.

“Imagine 1,000 saxophone players standing around Darling Harbour playing 'Waltzing Matilda,'” says festival director Sal Sharah. “Then we'll let them have a bit of a free play and see what kind of cacophony comes out.”

The world record attempt will have James Valentine as the celebrity conductor and include crooners such as Dale Barlow, Julian Gough and Rick Robertson.

But as well as the crowd of saxophonists, the festival features more than 400 musicians in a program that’s packed with highlights. “People are saying to me it’s the best free music festival in the world. Some of the biggest bands in the world are here.”

“We’re claiming the harbor for the people of Sydney and music lovers,” Sharah says.

Festival director’s highlights

17-piece all-female ensemble and city festival icons, Sirens Big Band, bring a multicultural, retrospective jazz journey to kick off the harborside sounds. (Friday June 10, Floating Stage Harbourside, 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.)

Virtuoso James Morrison (need we say more) and his sextet. (Friday June 10, Floating Stage Harbourside, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.)

Renowned for his bebop-based idioms, piano stalwart of the Sydney scene, Bobby Gebert, creates inspiring solos. (Saturday June 11, Convention Centre Forecourt, 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.)

Legendary bass player Ron Carter, who has performed with the likes of Miles Davis, brings his trio who will be introduced by the multiple ARIA-award winning Katie Noonanir. (Saturday June 11, Tumbalong Park, 2:30 p.m.-5:15 p.m.)

John Morrison’s Swing City Big Band perform the Birthday Bash: 18 musicians and a vocal line-up including Frank Bennet and Jeff Duff. (Sunday June 11 5:45 p.m.-7:00 p.m.)

The Darling Harbour Jazz and Blues Festival 2011

Friday June 8-Monday June 11, Queen's Birthday Long Weekend, Darling Harbour. Festival information and program at www.darlingharbour.com