Capital’s Winter Jazz Festival to Showcase Home-grown Talent

Capital’s Winter Jazz Festival to Showcase Home-grown Talent

Local jazz talent will play a big part in bringing Wellington to life across the first week of June, with around 100 gigs heating up the capital across five days, says Wellington Jazz Festival Artistic Director Shelagh Magadza.

“We recently released the line-up of international stars coming to Wellington for the Jazz Festival (3-7 June). Now we can confirm an exciting local line up, featuring acts from both Wellington and around New Zealand including former festival favourites Rodger Fox, Nick Granville (The Double Necks), Nigel Patterson, Rueben Bradley and Alda Rezende,” says Shelagh Magadza.

“From Wellington stalwarts like Twinset and The Eggs, to the sounds of New Zealand’s largest ensemble, The Royal New Zealand Air Force Band, there really is something to suit every taste in the 2015 jazz festival programme. Not to be missed is the unique collaboration between classical piano virtuoso Michael Houston and jazz trombonist Rodger Fox, or if you’re looking for a party check out Afro-Cuban jazz outfit MafereFUN Yemayá,” Shelagh says.

Tui Award-winner Bradley, a stand out at last year’s Wellington Jazz Festival will return with his take on the nightmarish stories of author H. P. Lovecraft in the launch of his latest album Cthulhu Rising. Bradley will perform with two-time Grammy-nominated musician Taylor Eigsti and Brett Hirst.

Around 30 bars and restaurants are already confirmed as host venues, including The Southern Cross, Rogue and Vagabond, Hashigo Zake, The Lido, The Green Man, Hotel Bristol, Basque, and Havana Bar, as well as long time jazz festival supporting venues, The Matterhorn and Meow. St Peters on Willis will also host a free concert series set to include ‘The Jac’ whose debut album Nerve was released on the Rattle Jazz label last year to great acclaim. St Peter’s will also run their regular Sunday jazz service, and play host to the Steve Barry Trio.

For the first time too, the Wellington-based NZ School of Music will incorporate their annual school’s programme into the Jazz festival, hosting jazz students from around the country for master classes, workshops and the Jazz Jazz Jazz Showcase.

Shelagh urges Wellingtonians to get amongst the five day music celebration.

“The city's laneways and venues will be humming with live music, good food, craft beer, great wine and a fun vibe throughout the jazz festival - and all within walking distance of Cuba Street. Fine food and family-friendly fun can be enjoyed at Saturday’s jazz flavoured Wellington Night Market on lower Cuba Street, while Light House Cinema will screen jazz-inspired movies,” she says.

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