Auckland Jazz and Blues Club

Welcome to the home of jazz in Auckland

Birkenhead RSA, Recreation Drive, Birkenhead.

Please see EVENTS section for weekly concert details.

($10 members/$25 non-members - cash only)


The club was formed around 1992 to further the interests of jazz & blues music in Auckland.

The club has a membership of around 250 and has regular club nights every Tuesday evening at the Birkenhead RSA.

Concerts start at 7.30pm and finish at 9.30pm with a break at half time. Meals are available before the concert. Full bar service.

Ample off-street parking. Come early to secure your seating.

Each night features a different local or out of town band.. Sometimes an International star makes an appearance.

Back to All Events

BEN FERNANDEZ

  • Point Chevalier RSA 1136 Great North Road Auckland, Auckland, 1022 New Zealand (map)
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Ben Fernandez and friends

Ben Fernandez MMus, BSc, DCS, PGDMM

Ben Fernandez is a classically trained jazz pianist, composer and arranger. He has a Masters Degree in Music majoring in Jazz performance from the University of Auckland. He also has degrees in Physics, Computer Science and Business Management. Ben gave up a successful career in Foreign Exchange, Travel Management and Advertising to make music a full time career choice.

Ben has performed at concerts and events in over 25 countries and is an award winning composer for jingles, TV shows and movies. He has released 9 Albums of his music here in NZ and his music is available on apple music, Spotify, etc . Ben is also an educator and teaches music at Pinehurst School, Rangitoto College, Rosmini College, Stella Maris School and St Mary’s School, Northcote. He conducts regular workshops on improvisation in New Zealand and overseas. (visit www.benfernandez.com for further details about Ben and his music)

Ben's new album ‘The Music Never Stopped' comprises of tunes composed during the lockdown. These were influenced by events that happened during the Covid 19 lockdown. Some happy and some sad. The world as we know it came to a standstill during that time. However the music never stopped!! . Musicians kept playing in their own little bubbles and many shared their performances with the world through the internet, some played from balconies of apartments , others in local communities while maintaining social distancing etc. The lyrics of the finale  tune 'Celebration' sung by the CeleBRation Choir capture the essence of the album . ' Music brings us joy, music brings us hope, music keeps us company...music never stops!!' 

The tunes were recorded by John Kim at the Kenneth Myers Centre, University of Auckland. This album is also a reflection of Ben's journey as a musician. It has solo piano compositions, ballads, uptempo jazz , latin, funk and elements of world music. 

Do come along to the Auckland Jazz and Blues club on Tuesday 9th March and join with Ben and friends as they take you on a journey through their music. They will play a selection of tunes from the album and also many popular jazz, swing, blues and latin favourites.

 Feat:

Jo Shum – bass

Andrew Hall – vocals. flute, saxophone

Ron Samsom – drums             

Warren Mendonsa – guitar

Ben Fernandez – piano.

 Members $5

Memberships from $15

Earlier Event: March 2
THE KIWI JAZZ LEGENDS (CANCELLED)
Later Event: March 16
TWISTIN' THE SWING