PLEASE NOTE: The Alex Keatley "Sounds of the Motherland" concert was originally advertised for 17 Dec. This concert will now take place on 10 December. .

Following a sell-out gig at the Centrestage Theatre in Orewa in September, the Queen City Big Band are pleased to once again be celebrating the festive season with the Auckland Jazz & Blues Club this year. Directed by Markus Fritsch and featuring the fabulous Chelsea Prastiti on vocals, you'll hear selections from the Ella Fitzgerald songbook as well as some of your favourite Christmas tunes.

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
No EFTPOS
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.

PLEASE NOTE: This concert has been changed from 17 December to 10 December.

Diving into his roots, young Auckland bassist Alex Keatley is excited to present ‘Sounds from the Motherland’.

‘Sounds from the Motherland’ is a project that aims to showcase and share some of the rich and vibrant jazz from South Africa. During his last year studying at Auckland University Alex has discovered his love for the style and compositions that come from all over South Africa. Taking inspiration from modern greats and legends in the past Alex and his band will be presenting a few of his own original compositions and showcasing some of the music he has discovered on this journey.

Featuring Jenna Aspeling on Alto Saxophone, Toby Barrett on Tenor Saxophone, Iggy Palmero Epstein on Flute & Saxophone, Ryan Tomov on Piano, Finn McNeill on Drums & Alex Keatley on Double Bass.

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
No EFTPOS
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.

Alex Ventling Quartet, featuring Phelan Burgoyne

Alex Venting - piano
Michael Howell - guitar
Mostyn Cole - double bass
Phelan Burgoyne - drums

A special ‘returning home’ concert: kiwi pianist Alex Ventling is back again from Europe, this time with renowned British drummer, Phelan Burgoyne. The two team up with their favourite locals, Michael Howell and Mostyn Cole, forming their a dream quartet.
European elegance meets kiwi authenticity – the four have selected their favourite standards and originals, where deep listening and an open approach to form and improvising can unfold on stage.

Alex Ventling has been living in Europe for the last 10 years where he met Phelan Burgoyne, the two having collaborated in a range of musical projects. Michael Howell and Mostyn Cole are household names in the Auckland jazz scene, having played with Alex for many of his visits home. A treat for the ears.

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
No EFTPOS
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.

Ray Woolf began his career as a thirteen year old in London. It was the beginning of the Rock revolution & Ray was in three bands before arriving in N.Z. in 1962 He sang in Aucklands Oriental Ballroom, was spotted , signed to to ZODIAC records & and in late 62 toured the country with Helen Shapiro.

Ray went on to appear in all the early T.V. shows. IN THE GROOVE, C,MON, ON THE BEAT SIDE, & was resident on HAPPEN INN for two years. He went on to host PLAY SCHOOL, Sang the winning song on STUDIO ONE, & a whole lot of shows before hosting TWO ON ONE in 1977 & 1978 & the RAY WOOLF SHOW in 1979 1980 1981 1982.

The T.V. acting career was also under way with a year on A GOING CONCERN in 1972. He went on to do 3 seasons in MARLIN BAY & guest roles in HERCULES, ZENA, YOUNG HERCULES, ST. LEGAL, THE STRIP, ORANGE ROUGHIES, & more Recently NOTHING TRIVIAL. Musical Theatre was also on Ray,s agenda
beginning with HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON in 1980. Then THE MUSIC MAN, A SLICE OF SATURDAY NIGHT, THE NEW ROCKY HORROR SHOW. BLOOD BROTHERS, GOLF, & over a hundred performances as Captain Von Trapp in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, The King in THE KING & I. & the Aussie production
of WEST SIDE STORY. The Movies include, LUCY, BACK RIVER ROAD, MAIDEN VOYAGE, SUPER FIRE, KING KONG, INSATIABLE MOON, SIEGE.

Now a pensioner Ray still performs in Caberet & concerts. Awards include ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR 1975, MOST PROFESSIONAL ENTERTAINER 1976 PEGASUS AWARD 1981, BENNY AWARD 2007, M.N.Z.M 2008. Ray lives in the far North with Wife Chrissy, Has 12 grandchildren , 7 great grandchildren. Supports Diabetes Auckland & is a Jambassodor for Starjam for special needs children & is an ambassador for the Prostate Cancer Awareness Foundation.

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
No EFTPOS
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.

Jane is a performer, singing coach and musical director. She has taught for over 30 years within Performing Arts with extensive experience in secondary school environments in Drama, Music and in Choral programmes.
In 2020 she was the vocal director for AMICI’s Production of ‘Mary Poppins’ as well as playing the Bird Woman, in 2021 she was Musical Director for StageIt’s production of ‘Chicago’, in 2022 vocal director for G&T’s concert version of ‘CHESS’. Her latest stage appearance was as Mrs Paroo in G&T’s concert version of ‘The Music Man’ at the Kiri Te Kanawa theatre in 2023.
A highlight in Jane’s career has been singing with Auckland band Prima Swing Riot for many years. She is an accomplished pianist and accompanist. In 2019, Jane was the recipient of a Scroll of Honour Awarded by the Variety Artists Club NZ, recognising her contributions as a celebrated singer, musical theatre performer, musical director and vocal tutor. Jane works as a freelance vocal coach/singing teacher, music director and performer.
She is joined by award winning musicians - Mike Walker, Pete McGregor and Bruce King to bring you a mix of Dusty Springfield, Carole King, Tina Turner and plenty of swing and jazz.

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
No EFTPOS
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.

This will be the first show of an eight-date North Island tour, culminating in a major Festival appearance in Rotorua. Prior to then Paul is off to play some shows in the UK and Europe.

The DeSotos tour also celebrates the release of four new original songs that the band has been recording at the LAB in Mt Eden, with Wayne Bell handling production duties and Olly Harmer engineering.

These tracks will form part of their upcoming album scheduled for release in 2025, with further updates to be posted on the band's Facebook page.

Since the early 2000's The DeSotos have occupied a unique space in the New Zealand country blues scene, with their melodic songwriting accompanied by strong vocal harmonies and tight musicianship.

As well as their original material the band features reference cover songs from the likes of Neil Young, Tom Petty and the Allman Brothers Band in their setlist.

The DeSotos lineup includes;

Paul Gurney - lead vocals, guitars & blues harp

Stuart McIntyre - bass & vocals

Ron Stevens - Hammond, keyboards & vocals

Greg Tell - drums & percussion

www.facebook.com/thedesotos

www.thedesotos.com

www.paulgurneymusic.com

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
No EFTPOS
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.

John Leigh Calder

Double Bassist/ Vocalist/ composer

John started his music career in the mid 60s with school friend Bill Taitoka who later became Billy T James, playing at venues in Northland & Auckland until the late 6os. He then moved to Sydney where he performed for two years before returning to NZ briefly then moving to London performing with different bands and in 1978 joined a UK band American Echoes. They attained BBC radio 1 record of the week & power play of the month Radio Luxembourg which gave national exposure touring concerts etc.

In 1984 John moved to Sydney forming the John
Leigh Calder indentity featuring some of Australia's best musicians doing all the main Jazz circuit and festivals etc.
In 2017 John moved back to the UK where he has been gaining recognition around the London Jazz scene recently performing at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club and The B3 Club and festivals, He has also been visiting NZ for the last 6 years performing when he comes here.

John is joined on the 5th Nov at The Auckland Jazz& Blues Club with Joe Kaptein Piano- Tim Hopkin Tenor Saxophone & Cam Sangster Drums.

FEATURING
John Leigh Calder - Double Bass / Vocals
Joe Kaptain - Piano
Tim Hopkins - Tenor Saxophone
Cam Sangster - Drums

This will be John's first Auckland booking since returning from performing in London.

FEATURING
John Leigh Calder - Double Bass / Vocals
Joe Kaptain - Piano
Tim Hopkins - Tenor Saxophone
Cam Sangster - Drums

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
Non EFTPOS
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.

This concert concept is the brainchild of pianist/ vocalist and composer Julie Mason.

It features three of New Zealand’s First Ladies of Jazz:
Linn Lorkin, Caitlin Smith and Julie Mason. All three women are highly experienced ( both nationally and internationally) pianists/ vocalists and composers, and none of them are strangers to The Auckland Jazz and Blues Club.

Accompanied by the stellar rhythm section of Aaron Codell ( bass) and Steve Cournane ( drums),
they will each perform a 40 minute set of their own material.

This concert is always a Club favourite, so make sure you arrive early to grab the best seats!

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
No EFTPOS
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.

PLEASE NOTE: This concert replaces JT & Agnostics that was originally advertised for 22 October.

Joe Kaptein plays a selection of standards, originals, and yacht rock classics on piano and Fender Rhodes, with Hank Trenton in bass and Dan Waterson on drums on cymbals.

Joe Kaptein - piano and Rhodes
Hank Trenton - bass
Steve Thomas - drums and cymbals

Members $10 cash

Non-members $25 cash

NO EFTPOS

Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.

Peter Wood - piano and vocals;   Kirby Wood - bass

Jeremy Wood - drums;   Mike Croft - Baritone Sax

Rick Roff - Trumpet, Trombone and vocals

Rick Roff writes - I met Peter in 1984.  I was looking for a piano player for Rick's Cafe Americain.  I loved Pete's playing immediately, a wild crazy mix of jazz and pop and wow that gravelly unique voice. In 1987 we recorded "Live at Rick's" CD live over three consecutive nights in the cafe. He played at Rick's Cafe and Blue Falcon for 15 years. One night @ the Blue Falcon Jimmy Smith walked into one of our jam sessions in the Attic Bar. He ended up playing long into the night with Peter and the band. Later in the week Jimmy was doing his show at the Glue Pot, saw Pete in the audience and said "Hey Pete, come on up and join us".

Peters played all over Auckland for more than fifty years, The Gluepot, The London Bar, The Regent Hotel, Tainui Tavern.....five years at Waipuna Lodge with his family band, Peter, KIrby (bass), Jeremy (drums) in the late eighties. Ten years at 121 in Ponsonby Road and as of late Botticellis in Anzac Ave Takapuna.

Peter Wood Bio 

Born in Palmerston North

Father - Sydney Wood, played trumpet and tenor sax

Peter played drums in his father’s band as a teenager - Peter Wood and the Aces

Peter plays piano, vibes, drums, trumpet, trombone, bass.

Members $10 cash

Non-members $25 cash

EFTPOS not available.

Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.

A 7-piece Traditional Jazz Band playing the music of the 1920’s and 30’s.
Featuring the music of Louis Armstrong, King Oliver through to the Kenny Ball Band of the 1960’s. Originally formed by Bob Ward and Tony Parker, Bob and Tony’s passing has seen the band with new personnel, the addition of piano (to a 7 piece) and Brian Kelly leading on trumpet. The new sound is more of a New Orleans and Chicago sound.

The band is unique in that it combines the experience of Thomas, King and Cummins, (a combined 180 years musical experience) with the youth of Trenton and Douglas. Kelly and Palmer sit somewhere in between !. It is happy, toe-tapping driving music that has attracted the attention of the Auckland Swing dance scene.

Personnel: Brian Kelly - Trumpet, Merv Thomas – Trombone, Carlos Palmer – Clarinet, Arthur Cummins – Piano, Jessie Douglas – Banjo, Hank Trenton – Double Bass, and Bruce King – Drums.

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.

PLEASE NOTE: This concert is organised by the Northern Jazz Society, not the Auckland Jazz and Blues Club.

University of Auckland Monday and Tuesday night Big Bands

Come along and hear the Monday Night Big Band, directed by Callum Passells and the Tuesday Night Big Band, directed by Roger Manins.

Both big bands feature a fantastic lineup of talented students from in and around the University of Auckland. We have two great sets lined up for you including some great charts from the pen of Matt Harris, a set of arrangements of Charles Mingus, student charts, and 1940's classics.

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.

Juliana Sian, a Brazilian pianist, is dedicated to introducing the rich sounds of Brazilian music to new audiences in New Zealand. Her passion lies in Bossa Nova and Samba, and she showcases this love through her own captivating compositions and interpretations of pieces by masters like Tom Jobim, Edu Lobo, Hermeto Pascoal, and others.

Juliana graduated with a music degree from Universidade Livre Tom Jobim in Brazil, where she had the privilege of participating in workshops with renowned musicians Wynton Marsalis and Moacir Santos. With over 20 years of experience, she is a versatile musician who has performed Jazz, Latin, and Brazilian music with various ensembles. In addition to her performing career, Juliana is also an experienced and dedicated music educator.

Furthering her studies at the University of Auckland, Juliana specialised in Jazz Performance. As an active performer, she has graced the stages of notable festivals like the Waiheke Jazz Festival and Mangawhai Soul Jazz Festival. Beyond these performances, she also curates concerts that pay homage to prominent Brazilian artists, bringing these vibrant sounds to various venues across Auckland.

In her performances, Juliana is accompanied by talented musicians like Thabani Gapara, Nick Taylor, Jake Krishnamurt and Adam Tobeck.

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
Non-member contact information required at time of entry.

The June Hayes Experience

JUNE HAYES – VOCALIST

June Hayes returns to the Auckland Jazz & Blues Club, bringing with her a stellar line-up of jazz musicians including pianist - Ben Fernandez, bassist - Dr Ollivier Holland, drummer - George Brajkovich, and Cameron Kelso on saxophone, for an evening of classic jazz.

Her career began in the 1990’s, in musical theatre, performing as a soloist, and as part of a four-part harmony female vocal group reminiscent of the Andrew Sisters, backed by a twenty-one strong big band jazz ensemble. Soon after, invitations to front small group jazz ensembles performing for a variety of private and public gigs, would eventually leading to numerous long-term residencies at restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels around wider Auckland, including the Stamford Plaza Hotel, and regular appearances at jazz festivals and concerts throughout the country and abroad including the Tauranga Jazz Festival and the Brecon International Jazz Festival in Wales.

During the early 2000’s, June helped Phil Broadhurst establish Massey University Auckland’s Jazz Studies programme, creating events that would hopefully build public awareness and attract student enrolments, and instigated various opportunities for live jazz performance.

She has independently produced jazz concert/workshop events, including the 2018 Matariki Starlight Jazz Concert, released three albums of music including the 2021 EP Whenua, Aroha, Marama collection of original compositions, and has written, recorded and published six bi-lingual childrens picture books with music.

After returning from overseas in 2012, and musically reinventing herself by establishing the June Hayes Experience band, June continues to perform whenever she can supported by some of the best jazz musicians New Zealand has to offer.

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
No EFTPOS
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry

Hamin & The Songkoks:-

Hamin Derus- Vocals and guitar
Tom Ludvigson- Piano
Nigel Gavin – lead guitar
Jean Baptiste Josso - Violin
Heath King – Drums
Jared Greenwood - Bass

Hamin & The Songkoks is a music project centred around Hamin as a vocalist, supported by a string of musicians who share his passion for R & B, Soul, Reggae and Jazz. The band’s repertoire is made up of his originals, interpretation of kiwi songwriters music and some old classics.

Hamin Derus, a Malaysian born Kiwi singer-songwriter and guitarist, began playing music professionally in the mid70s in Dunedin before finally settling down in Auckland in the late 70s. He has fronted several bands namely Bamboo and Mango Crazy playing pubs, bars, clubs, cafes, and festivals all over NZ and is known for his dynamic performances and big voice. With Mango Crazy he toured Malaysia as a support act for John Mayall and appeared on a breakfast show on TV Malaysia.
He has recorded two albums, an EP and a single.

Tom Ludvigson, a Swedish born Kiwi is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist who has focused his energy on piano and synthesizer. He is a composer, arranger, band leader, record producer, session player and teacher whose musical interests range from Blues, Soul, Jazz, Reggae, Funk and experimental music. He has performed with Rick Bryant’s Jive Bombers, Bluespeak with Greg Johnson, electronic multimedia ensemble Nexus with Nigel Gavin, Inner City Jazz Workshop, Jack Morris Big Band and Trip to the Moon with Trevor Reekie.

Nigel Gavin, an American born Kiwi, is a guitar virtuoso, composer, solo and session musician with a vast musical vocabulary ranging from Blues, Folk, Rock, Jazz, Fusion, Klezmer and World Music. He has performed with the Nairobi Trio, The Jews Brothers, Robert Fripp’s The League of Crafty Guitarists, Caitlin Smith, harmonica maestro Brendon Power, and The Unsung Heroes. He founded a guitar collective Gitbox and Gitbox Rebellion.
He has performed internationally and recorded three solo albums.

Jean Baptiste Josso a French born NZ resident is a violinist and violist was a student of Versailles Conservatory of Music.

Heath King has played drums for several bands in Auckland namely, Rose and the Wooden Hearts, Royal Falcon and Trepidat.

Jared Greenwood, a close music collaborator of Heath King is a multi instrumentalist plays guitar, bass and piano.

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
No EFTPOS
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.

New Zealand’s own Cuban Jazz band Ke lo Ke Es honour the incredible musical legacy of Cuba’s jazz musicians, past and present, with an exciting performance by eight musicians from around the globe.

Leaning on the Afro-Cuban roots of the music, Ke lo Ke Es channels the spirit of the ground-breaking musical laboratory Irakere, along with other Grammy-award winning artists like Buena Vista Social Club, Juan Formell and Los Van Van, Poncho Sanchez, Alexander Abreu, and Habana D’ Primera, and more.

Isbert Ramos Mediaceja ‘Vivio’, a pioneer of Cuban music and dance in New Zealand, brings together an exceptional ensemble of Latin and jazz musicians hailing from Cuba, Chile, Scotland, England and Aotearoa. Each has made their mark in Kiwi-Latino bands like: Fuente Baynes, Havana Groove, Matecito Latin Band, Calle Latina, Grupo Sa-Son, as well as in jazz ensembles like the Kevin Field Band, Auckland Jazz Orchestra, New Bop Quintet, Panacea, and Goldsmith Baynes. The line-up is:

Vocals and percussion — ISBERT RAMOS MEDIACEJA ‘VIVIO’ (Cuba)
Vocals and percussion — MARCELO VALENCIA STUARDO (Chile)
Piano — MARK BAYNES — (England)
Bass and vocals — ALEX GRIFFITH (Aotearoa)
Trumpet — MIKE BOOTH (Aotearoa)
Saxophone and flute — PETE FRANCE
Percussion — IGNACIO VALENCIA ‘NACHO’ (Chile)
Percussion and vocals — EDWIN WESTERMEIER (Chile)

Ke lo Ke Es (pronounced ‘Kay Low Kay Es’) also performs as ten-piece band Ke lo Ke, and four-to-six piece ensemble Vivio & Friends, and have taken the stage at the National Jazz Festival, Kerikeri Jazz Festival, Ponsonby Social Club, Salsa Tumbao Festival, Crown Range Lounge, Botticelli, among others.

Get ready to be transported to the heart of Cuba!

To view the band, go to: https://www.facebook.com/KeloKeBand

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.

PLEASE NOTE:-
THIS CONCERT IS ORGANISED BY THE NORTHERN JAZZ SOCIETY, NOT THE AUCKLAND JAZZ AND BLUES CLUB.

Flames Hotel.
8 Waverley St.,
Whangarei.

Members $15
Non-members $20

The Auckland Jazz Orchestra has been featuring the music of New Zealand composers and arrangers for almost 15 years now. They've released four albums, and played stages big and small, and always look forward to their reception at the Auckland Jazz & Blues Club.

After launching their tribute to the late Phil Broadhurst's music in a spell-binding show in the Auckland Arts Festival this year, the band is looking through the archives and bringing back some of their favourite charts from over the years, and some new ones, with a few special guests to boot.

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
No EFTPOS
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.

PLEASE NOTE:-

THIS EVENT IS NOT ORGANISED BY THE AUCKLAND JAZZ AND BLUES CLUB.

Olivier Holland’s Gjazz5 – Jazz Attack re-loaded

Gjazz5, your favourite brand for amazing music, is putting on a concert featuring recent work as well as tunes from the “Jazz Attack!” Era. 3 of these tunes have recently been premiered at the Wellington Jazz festival where Gjazz5 featured among the headliner acts in 2022.

Especially the four new works are from genres of many different corners of our planet with “out-of-the-box” rhythms such as those from Algerian RAI music, Zimbabwean “Mbende” and “Mhande”, contemporary European odd-time-jazz and Cuban Salsa.

After roaring success at the WJF, CjC and other NZ venues, this is your chance to hear and see this new and innovative music performed by a killer line-up.

Plus – an opportunity to purchase the 2021 GJAZZ5 double CD album - there is no way you can miss this gig!

Drums: Steve Thomas
Piano: Kevin Field
Tenor sax: Roger Manins
Alto sax: Thabani Gapara
Basses: Olivier Holland

WJF Live:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6dWrkXLQYo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_t6cokrNnQ

Teaser:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EwssTkH58w&t=46s...

Check out the full-length album teaser on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePicWHy-KDA

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
(No EFTPOS)
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.

Concert details yet to be provided.

Members $10 cash

Non-members $25 cash

No EFTPOS

Non-member contact registration required t time of entry.

Sunday, August 11th - 1pm.

Finalists are in performance order:

Jazz Combos:

Peach Mango Pie (Sancta Maria College) - 1 pm

The Quartet (Avondale College & Auckland Grammar) - 1:20 pm

North Sea (Rangitoto College) - 1:40 pm

All The King's Horses (King's College) - 2:00 pm

Big Bands:

Saint Kentigern College Big Band - 2:40 pm

Sancta Maria College Big Band - 3:00 pm

King's College Little Big Band - 3:20 pm

Rangitoto College Big Band - 3:40 pm

$10 door charge (free for students and directors)

Alan MacDonald Founder / Percussionist.
Born in Scotland, Alan alongside a 30-year career as a creative director, drummed in a rock band founded in his teens, followed by Folk and Celtic percussion. He formed VoxNova in 1996. Alan's box-drum like instrument, the Cajon, originates in Peru, and is now closely associated with Flamenco due to its ability to imitate La Palmas, Flamenco hand clapping.

James Sneyd Violin.
Originally from Dunedin, he has traveled the world in his capacity of Mathematics Professor performing wherever he is located. James is highly skilled at any genre he adopts from Celtic, Country Rock, Manouche and Latin jazz. James has just the right vintage sound the band requires. Audiences enjoy the blitzing music duels.

Aaron Codell Double Bass.
Aaron has an extensive background in jazz, performing with jazz greats : Cleo Laine, Mark Murphy, saxophonist George Coleman, Annie Crummer, Hello Sailor, King Kapisi, as well as vocalists Caitlin Smith, Jan Hellriegel and Linn Lorkin. Aaron has also supported a long list of theatrical productions and occasionally moonlights with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra.

Nigel Gavin Acoustic Jazz Guitar
Originally from Long Island, New York, Nigel is a leading figure, teacher, performer, composer, recording artist, locally and internationally. Master of the 7-string guitar, in fact, almost anything with strings he has performed with many well-known groups such as, Nairobi Trio, the Fondue Set, the Jews Brothers, the Blue Bottom Stompers, Gitbox Rebellion, now a long-term members of VoxNova.

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.

Tenor Trouble!

Will Ralph and Toby Barret lead a quartet, featuring Hank Trenton on the Bass, Jeffrey Gaurus on the Drums and Ryan Tomov on keys. The group will pay tribute to the swinging sounds of Tenor Titans, Eddie ‘Lockjaw Davis’ and Johnny Griffin, pulling out some of their original arrangements as well as just having a fun hit on some standards.

Tenor Saxophone- Will Ralph

Tenor Saxophone- Toby Barret

Bass – Hank Trenton

Keys – Ryan Tomov

Drums – Jeffrey Gaurus

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
Non-member contact information required at time of entry.

Over the years the band has played at Jazz Festivals in Tauranga, Auckland, Bay of Islands and more and were a regular featured band at the Mandalay Tea Dances in the 80’s.

Band leaders have included Jack Morris, Barry Clewett, Alastair McMillan, Alan James, and currently Peter Ward. Sally Sadler was the feature singer for many years and after Sally’s retirement for a rural lifestyle up north, June Hays. Downbeat is now thrilled to be introducing an outstanding new talent, Alex Walls.

Downbeat’s music selection for the Jazz Club appearance will be a mix of traditional big band standards from Caravan to Cute and Birdland to Besame Mucho … with a sprinkling of creative arrangements of popular tunes like Saturday in the Park, and Rainbow Connection … and Alex’s interpretations of some of her favourites.

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.

George Brajkovich Quartet Lineup:

Roger Manins: Saxophone
Kevin Field: Piano
Tom Dennison: Bass
George Brajkovich: Drums

Bio:
Auckland based drummer George Brajkovich has put together a quartet consisting of some of the Aucklands finest musicians for his debut at the Auckland Jazz and Blues club as a bandleader. Come down for an evening of riveting music, and expect to hear jazz standards by some of your favourite composers.

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.

IT"S MERV'S BIRTHDAY BASH.
COME ALONG AND CELEBRATE WITH MERV. (Sir Hornblower Comb-over.)

A 7-piece Traditional Jazz Band playing the music of the 1920’s and 30’s.
Featuring the music of Louis Armstrong, King Oliver through to the Kenny Ball Band of the 1960’s. Originally formed by Bob Ward and Tony Parker, Bob and Tony’s passing has seen the band with new personnel, the addition of piano (to a 7 piece) and Brian Kelly leading on trumpet. The new sound is more of a New Orleans and Chicago sound.

The band is unique in that it combines the experience of Thomas, King and Cummins, (a combined 180 years musical experience) with the youth of Trenton and Douglas. Kelly and Palmer sit somewhere in between !. It is happy, toe-tapping driving music that has attracted the attention of the Auckland Swing dance scene.

Personnel: Brian Kelly - Trumpet, Merv Thomas – Trombone, Carlos Palmer – Clarinet, Arthur Cummins – Piano, Jessie Douglas – Banjo, Hank Trenton – Double Bass, and Bruce King – Drums.

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.

Please note - this event is organised by the Northern Jazz Society in Whangarei. (not AJBC)

Music from Robert Glasper, Roy Hargrove, George Benson, Aaron Parks, John Coltrane and Miles Davis. Groove-focused tunes with nice melodies and lush chords.

Andrew Hall: Sax, Vocals
Nate Collings: Guitar
Ant Hunt: Keyboards
David Hodkinson: Bass
Steve Thomas: Drums

Members $10 cash
Non-members $25 cash
Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.