A Brisbane-based jazz musician will be part of the entertainment line-up for the 2018 Wishlist Jazz & Wine Festival which kicks off in Gympie on August 4.

The Shannon Marshall Hammond Combo will venture to Gunabul Homestead to entertain festival-goers as part of the fundraising event to benefit Gympie Hospital patients.

Wishlist Fundraising and Events Manager Lisa Wilson said the swinging combo will be playing a fresh mix of jazz, latin and soul at the event.

[caption id="attachment_1295" align="alignleft" width="275"] Shannon Marshall[/caption]

“Shannon is one of Brisbane’s coolest and captivating musicians and he leads an uber-cool combo with his soulful vocals and trumpet playing,” Ms Wilson said.

With the virtuosic Dancin’ Dale Rabic on hammond organ and Paul ‘the hit-man’ Hudson on drums, this all-star band has performed extensively around the festival circuit including many performances at the Brisbane Festival, Valley Fiesta, Valley Jazz Festival, Surfers Paradise Festival and the Broadbeach Jazz Festival.

When Shannon isn’t out the front of his own band he regularly performs alongside some of the country’s brightest stars including James Morrison, Emma Pask, Rhonda Burchmore, Tim Draxl and Monica Trapaga.

VIP Veradah tickets to the Wishlist Jazz & Wine Festival have now sold out, but general admission tickets are still for sale for $30 per person.

“This really is an affordable and fun day out for Gympie residents of all ages,” Ms Wilson said.

“We’d love to see the community turn out and support this fundraising event which in turn helps Gympie and Cooloola families access the best healthcare possible in the region.

In the past two years, the event has raised more than $62,500 with all funds used to purchase medical equipment for Gympie Hospital.

In 2016, proceeds from the event purchased a BiPAP Non-Invasive Ventilator for the Department of Emergency and last year a $33,723 neuro-perfusion package was funded to enable acute stroke patients to access new treatment options in Gympie.

This year the event will raise funds for an Emergency Paediatric Telehealth Service to be based at Gympie Hospital and link young patients with specialists at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH).

A family accommodation facility close to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital is also on the charity’s ‘wish list’ so rural and remote patients who need to travel the region’s tertiary hospital can stay close during treatment.

Wishlist already manages the 20-unit Reed House accommodation facility at Nambour Hospital for rural patients needing treatment on the Sunshine Coast, but there is a growing needs for a centre to be built close to SCUH.

The Wishlist Jazz and Wine Festival is expected to attract more than 200 people and boasts a gourmet barbecue, live music, delicious cheese platters from Kenilworth Dairies, and a wide selection of fine wine from Get Wines Direct, beer and other beverages.

Wishlist Jazz and Wine’s major sponsor is local identity Cos Schuh from Schuh Group, as well as The Gympie Times and Zinc 96.1.

“This year will mark three years of the Wishlist Jazz and Wine Festival helping families in our region,” Mr Schuh said.

“I’m proud to be part of an event where locals can support other locals.

“If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, get online and book because you don’t want to miss this one.”

Click here for tickets to the 2018 Wishlist Jazz & Wine Festival. Tickets are limited.

FACTBOX: Wishlist Jazz & Wine Festival

When: Saturday August 4

Time: 2pm – 6.30pm

General Admission tickets: $30 per person

Book: wishlist.org.au

Wishlist is a not-for-profit organisation which directs funds to the needs of the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service including Gympie Hospital.