MORE than 1500 people converged on Frensham at the weekend to make this year’s Southern Highlands Classic Jazz Festival the most successful yet.

Over the three days of the event many of the nation’s premier musicians entertained jazz enthusiasts from across the Southern Highlands and beyond.

“This is certainly the most we’ve ever had,” said Festival orgainser John Buchanan.

“I think it’s because we had much better coverage in the media, we advertised it more extensively in the local area and that accounts for many of the numbers.

“There are also a lot of people from Sydney and from interstate, actually I think proportionately we have more people from Victoria than anywhere else.”

With more than 30 bands playing at venues throughout Frensham, the day proved a welcome outlet for young musicians with a passion for the 1920s genre.

“There are a lot of outstanding young musicians coming up and I think there’s going to be a lot coming through who will be attracted to this music,” Mr Buchanan said.

“We are trying to keep this music alive because anyone who is under 50 is unlikely to have heard it.”

This is the first year the event has been staged at Frensham and Mr Buchanan said he is looking forward to holding future Classic Jazz Festivals at the site.

First conducted in 1997, the Festival was last held in 1999 at various venues across Bowral’s town centre.

“The Festival has been gradually growing, I think it’s because no other festival focuses on jazz from the classic era as we do,” Mr Buchanan said.

“People have said this year is the best ever, certainly the location of Frensham is wonderful.

“People can just stroll around, it is the ideal place and we hope to have it here again next year.”