After spending so many weekends consumed by moving house and the associated fall-out, it was blissful to head to the Hunter Valley on Saturday for the annual Jazz in the Vines show. It doesn’t really matter who’s on the bill; this is one yearly event I make sure that I never miss. And once again, this stellar regional show didn’t disappoint.

Pokolbin was bathed in the eerie haze of bushfires, but thankfully you couldn’t really smell smoke on the Jazz in the Vines site. In fact, I think we enjoyed the best weather we have had in years. Far too often Mother Nature turns on a scorcher, but this year it was a pleasant 27 degrees with a gentle breeze which made even the dancers down the front feel comfortable.

I wish I could show you pictures of all the fun we had, but sadly my camera decided to give up the ghost the moment I tried to take a snap. Instead you’ll just have to take my word for it. The Admirals Own Big Band and Bob Barnard satisfied the taste of traditional jazz enthusiasts with old standards and instrumental gems. These mellow offerings gave us all a chance to chill out a little with the superb food on offer. What other festival do you know treats you to dishes like rock oysters and soft shell crab sliders? Talk about decadence!

With bellies full it was time for Jan Preston to bust out a little boogie woogie. It was just what the crowds ordered, and they were on their feet quickly. The makeshift grassy dance floor near the dual stages became even more crowded once modern funksters The Bamboos appeared. This soulful young outfit brought a youthful energy to a festival often dominated by more established acts. They did it without alienating the older audience members, which takes some skill. My parents, at 60 and 58, marvelled at Kylie Auldist’s pipes and the outfit’s tight brassy sound.

Then it was time for some of those more established acts I’ve alluded to. Festival favourite James Morrison showed why the organisers keep asking him back. I’ve seen him play so many times at the festival, but fatigue never seems to set in. Perhaps that’s due to his decision to work with various guest vocalists. This time around we were treated to the vocal stylings of Roxane LeBrasse, who I’d assumed had fallen off the face of the earth following Australian Idol. I loved her on the reality show, but was wowed by her vocals on Saturday. She’s matured and developed an incredible stage presence. Hearing her take on soul classics like “Chain of Fools,” and come out sounding every bit as good as Aretha Franklin, was something special.

James Morrison had us dancing, and Marcia Hines knew no one was quite ready to stop. There’s a reason why Miss Marcia continues to be such a musical force. Her voice has lost nothing over the years, and she’s a consummate professional on stage. She had me captivated from start to finish.

I wish I could say the same for the closing act, Canadian band The Shuffle Demons. My dad told me early in the first song that it would have to get better for us to stick around. It didn’t, so we hightailed it out of there two songs in. They might have looked like a party act with their silly headpieces and brass instruments, but they didn’t sound like one. There were no hooks or melodies, nothing for me to connect with at all. I just didn’t get it. Looking at the punters also packing up their stuff as we made for the exit, it seems I’m not alone.

After a day of great music, even the aural assault of The Shuffle Demons couldn’t dampen my enthusiasm for Jazz in the Vines. The day wasn’t perfect, but it was close enough to it to ensure I’ll be back again next year.