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Christchurch Big Band Festival presents Big Band Monday
Christchurch Big Band Festival presents Big Band Monday
Never mind the earthquakes! The Middleton
Grange Performing Arts Centre will shake for a different
reason on Labour Day.
Rodger Fox’s Wellington Jazz
Orchestra is here to provide some musical relief and support
for Canterbury lovers of big band jazz, a full day of
workshops, instrumental and big band clinics.
The
day’s highlight Jazz Gala Concert at 6pm features the
Christchurch Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Wellington Jazz
Orchestra, with American saxophonist Jeff Driskill as
soloist.
Driskill is a professional jazz musician and
arranger who, in any given week, can be found performing in
the orchestra for the latest hit musical, lending his
talents to a studio movie score, backing an A-list crooner
or playing jazz in one of several respected big bands.
Recently, Driskill worked with composer Randy Newman on the
much lauded soundtracks for "The Princess and the Frog" and
"Toy Story 3". He also went in to the recording studio with
John Williams and lent his talents to "Tin Tin: Secret of
the Unicorn".
Founded by New Zealand jazz big-band
legend Rodger Fox, the Wellington Jazz Orchestra features
sizzling ensemble playing, stunning soloists and the desire
to give people a good time through music. Featuring some of
Wellingtons best known jazz talent including Colin
Hemmingsen, Alex Nyman, Matt Hitti, Lance Philip, Nick
Granville, Anita and Nick Van Dyke and Nick Tipping. The WJO
has performed with some of the biggest names in jazz
including Michael Brecker, Bill Cunliffe, Joe Williams,
Louie Bellson, Bob Sheppard, Bruce Forman, Bill Reichenbach
and Jim Pugh.
Big Band Monday will begin with a youth workshop where intermediate and secondary students of big band instruments will work together with Fox, Driskill and Christchurch jazz teacher Judith Bell, to prepare some big band charts for an afternoon performance. Later in the morning advanced players are being offered instrumental clinics in saxophone, trumpet, trombone and rhythm section.
After lunch, school and community big bands are invited to present a 30-minute concert performance with the option of a big band clinic to follow.
ends
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