The Village Green was filled with people on Saturday for the free opening concert of the 31st annual festival.
Wakatipu High School band Best Served Chilled opened the event with a medley of classics.
The Frank Gibson Quartet headlined the official opening with an hour-long set.
Gibson is one of New Zealand's best jazz drummers and has worked with some of the world's top artists.
Remarkable Dixie played to a packed Village Green yesterday afternoon.
Organiser Margaret O'Hanlon said the community stage at Village Green had proved a hit with both residents and tourists.
The sun shone during the events on an otherwise rainy and dull weekend, she said.
Another highlight of the festival's opening day was a tribute night to Queenstown musician Mark Wilson at the Crown Plaza.
About 300 people attended the tribute, which featured 10 acts as well as Wilson singing and playing the keyboard.
Mr Wilson said he was "absolutely rapt" with the honour.
"I was very happy with the performers that were able to be part of it, and for the huge turnout. I couldn't be happier," he said.
The acts were all people he had worked with over the years.
Ms O'Hanlon said it was a special one-night-only tribute to Mr Wilson who she described as much-loved by the Queenstown community.
"Mark sings and performs in an inimitable style for a number of local bands, has been an inspiration for young musicians, and a mentor to many," she said.
Mr Wilson is well known in the Queenstown community for his piano playing and his willingness to share his talents through productions and events such as the JazzFest, Anzac Day services and performing with the popular Queenstown band the Master Blasters.
Ms O'Hanlon said she hoped to have a tribute night for different Queenstown musicians every year.
The JazzFest runs until October 26.
Highlights include the Neil Cowley Trio at the Novotel on Thursday, the Afro Sambas of Baden Powell at St Peter's Church Hall on Friday and Fox and the Woolf at the Millennium Hotel on Saturday.
