When The Beatles stopped touring and progressed to psychedelic rock and Dylan left folk and went electric, Van Morrison hired some of New York's finest jazz musicians and recorded two of the classic albums of that golden era - Astral Weeks and Moondance.
Both albums had enormous impact on aspiring musicians and singers around the world. Australian jazz legend, Vince Jones, was one of them. Now, Jones, a remarkable jazz interpreter, has invited a selection of the Australia's finest jazz/rock musicians to form The Astral Orchestra.
His music director, Matt McMahon joins him in this homage to Morrison's extraordinary repertoire; his most acclaimed album, the magical Astral Weeks, and his most commercially successful, the wonderful soul/jazz influenced Moondance.
Sold out concerts at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival at the Melbourne Recital Centre and Sydney's City Recital Hall confirmed the demand for Van Morrison's repertoire and some of his legendary masterpieces.
Jones has set the benchmark for Australian jazz vocalist/musicians across a 20-album, international career and his Celtic/jazz/blues influences provide the perfect blend for his reading of two of contemporary rock music's greatest works.
For this special Valentine's Day event, Jones and The Astral Orchestra will put their unique spin on iconic songs including Crazy Love, Into The Mystic, Madame George and, of course, Moondance.
The show is on Friday, February 14 at 8pm at Blue Mountains Theatre, 106 Macquarie Road Springwood. Tickets $69/$66 includes a glass of sparkling wine or soft drink. Tickets can be purchased at the box office, on 4723 5050 or online at www.bluemountainstheatre.com.
