The Flaming Mudcats is now in their 11th year with Aucklanders,Craig Bracken, Doug Bygrave, Ian Thomson & Johnny Yu.

Their energetic sets blend their own material with some covers drawn from the guys’ eclectic influences.The band’s latest album “Cut Loose” is a stomping collection of mostly originals, celebrating styles,rhythms, good and not so good times. Butt shakers to soulful grinders...welcome to the show.

Door Charge

Member and Students with ID = $5

Non-Members = $15

Combining a beautifully blended vocal trio with a hot swingin' band and decked out in uniforms ready for action!

Featuring the music of the Andrews Sisters, Sisters of Swing takes you on a journey back to the war era, to experience the music of the Andrews Sisters and the songs that made them famous.
Songs original Andrews sisters versions of In the Mood, Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Sing, Sing, Sing, Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen, Three Little Sisters, Oh Johnny Oh, Rum And Coca Cola, Beat Me Daddy, Lullaby of Broadway, Chattanooga Choo Choo, ........and many more! 

Door Charge:
Members and students with ID $5.00
Non members $15.00

Clo Chaperon is an Australian born jazz singer who has been part of the Auckland music scene for the last 10 years. She has been making a name for herself entertaining crowds at numerous hot spot venues around Auckland and high-end corporate events with her band Quantum Blue and performing at festivals around New Zealand including the Tauranga, Waiheke and Wellington jazz festivals. She is a graduate of the Auckland University School of Music where she majored in Jazz Voice and trained under Susan de Jong. Her musical influences include Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, João Gilberto, Anita O’Day, Esperanza Spalding and Gretchen Parlato just to name a few. Clo will be performing with some of Auckland’s finest musicians and together they’ll take you on a journey through a stunning selection of jazz standards, Brazilian and French songs, jazzed-up arrangements of pop classics and also her original compositions.

Dixon Nacey - Guitar

Stephen Thomas - Drums 

Mostyn Cole - Double Bass

Door Charge:

Members and Students with ID $5.00
Non Members $15.00

The Committee Led by Mat Fieldes

Mat Fieldes is a very active bass player on the New York freelance scene today. Equally comfortable in Classical, Jazz, Rock, Hip-hop, R&B and Broadway genres, Mr. Fieldes has collaborated with such luminaries as Joe Jackson, John Cale, Ornette Coleman, Jim Steinman, Sufjan Stevens, Steve Vai, Peter Erskine, Paquito D’Rivera, Kristjan Jarvi, Joe Williams, Arturo Sandaval, Toni Tennille, and Kelli O’Hara among others. Mr Fieldes was honored to perform with the acclaimed crossover hip-hop virtual band the Gorillaz, live at the Apollo theater, and hip-hop legend Jay-Z at  Radio City Music Hall in the spring of 2006. In 2001, he performed on Joe Jackson’s album, Symphony, which won a Grammy Award for “Best Pop Instrumental.”

In 2007 he played on Barry Manilow’s Gold album “In the Swing of Christmas” with the Matt Herskowitz Trio, which was nominated for a Grammy in 2009. The Matt Herskowitz Trio also played a sold out concert to widespread acclaim at the Montreal Jazz Festival in 2008. Their debut CD ‘Forget Me Not’ was nominated for a Felix Award in Quebec for “Best Jazz Album’. They released their latest recording ‘Jerusalem Trilogy’ at the 2010 Montreal Jazz Festival. It was nominated for a Canadian Juno Award in 2011.

Mr. Fieldes tours extensively as solo bassist for Absolute Ensemble, an electro-acoustic crossover chamber orchestra, which performs at major venues worldwide. Recent appearances include the Sydney Opera House, Koln Philharmonie, London Barbican, Concertgebouw, Theatre des Champs Elysees, Megaron, and residencies at Bremen and Adelaide Festivals. In 2000, the ensemble won the coveted German Record Critic’s Award for its album Mix. The ensemble received a Grammy nomination in the ‘Best Small Ensemble’ category for its album Absolution (2002, Enja Records). Recent collaborations include recordings and touring with the late Joe Zawinul, a Frank Zappa tribute featuring Mike Keneally and Napoleon Murphy Brock, ‘Bach Re-Invented’ featuring Simone Dinnerstein (released on SONY Classical) and a Tango project with Carel Kraayenhof.

As a soloist, Mr. Fieldes has performed Mark Anthony Turnage’s concerto Blood on the Floor, at Miller Theater, New York City, in 2001. In 2004, he performed the same concerto with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Also that year, he premiered Gene Pritsker’s concerto for electric and acoustic bass, Lost Illusions, with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, in front of 30,000 people. Most recently he was a member of a featured rock trio for performances of Bernstein’s ‘Mass’ in Adelaide, and the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC proms.

He has performed on many Broadway shows including “Mamma Mia”, “The Book of Mormon”, “Next to Normal”, “Billy Elliot”, “South Pacific”, “Mary Poppins”, “Kiss Me Kate”, “The Full Monty”, “Legally Blonde” and “Saturday Night Fever”. He was the Principal bass player of the acclaimed musical ‘Matilda’ on Broadway from 2013-17 and received his 4th Grammy nomination for the cast recording.

As an Orchestral and Chamber musician he has played with the New Zealand Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Auckland Philharmonia, Brooklyn Philharmonic, Key West Symphony (Principal), Long Island Philharmonic, Westchester Symphony, Moscow Chamber Orchestra, New Zealand String Quartet, New Zealand Trio, Continuum, Bronx Arts Ensemble and has recently appeared in major festivals in Mexico City, Bremen, El Paso, Adelaide and Montpellier.

Mr. Fieldes was born in Hastings, New Zealand. He earned his Master’s degree from The Juilliard School where he studied with Eugene Levinson, Principal Bass of the New York Philharmonic.

Mat will be joined on this date by Ron Samsom Drums, Roger Manins sax, and Dixon Nacey guitar

Door charge
Members and Students with ID $5.00
Non Members $15.00

16 July is a special occasion for the band, as we celebrate Merv Thomas' 88th birthday. Merv has arranged the whole evening, last time he did this it was an epic night

The accompanying photograph is from early 1980

The Bridge City Jazz Men

John Wilcox, Neville Grenfell, Warwick Simpson,

Pete McGregor, Bruce King, Merv Thomas

Mike Walker Trio

Pete McGregor, Bruce King.

Special Guests:

Michael Howell,  guitar

Roger Manins,  saxophone

Four guest vocalists:

Anna Rugis

Renee Brennan

Mike Murane

Bryan Harris

First Appearance at the Jazz and Blues Club:

North Harbour Big Band

Door Charge:
Members and Students with ID $5.00
Non Members $15.00

GJAZZ Attacks, the sextet line-up of the infamous Jazz Attack. (founded in 2016 by band leader Olivier Holland) presents you with a very special treat: Finest jazz performed with – this time - the added super-bonus of feature vocalist Lea Anae. Her stunning voice has amazed many audiences to date and she is certainly making a name for herself on the New Zealand jazz scene. 

GJAZZ Attacks will perform the proven mix of grand classics with energetic originals penned by band leader Olivier Holland, which will shortly be released on his double CD album entitled GJAZZ, the latter featuring some of the greatest musicians in this planet. 

GJAZZ Attacks features:

Olivier Holland - Basses

Roger Manins – tenors

Lukas Fritsch – tenors/altos

Lea Anae – vocals

Ben Gailer – pianos / synths’

Kathleen Tomacruz – guitars

Ron Samsom - drums

Door Charge:
members and Students with ID $5.00
Non Members $15.00

The Caitlin Smith Trio brings to you some electric entertainment that combines the best of pop, jazz and soul into one night. Accompanied by Kevin Field on keys and Ollie Holland on bass, the trio makes for a night of delight.

Door Charges:
Members and Students with ID $5.00
Non Members $15.00

British pianist/composer. Moved to NZ in 2013 to become Head of Jazz at the NZSM Jazz school in Wellington.

Previous collaborations include performing  with Kenny Wheeler, Dave Liebman, Bob Minzer, Seamus Blake Alex Sipiagin.

Was a prominent pianist on the UK/European jazz scene and also figured strongly in the Latin Jazz scene in the 80’ and 90’s

Recently toured Australia/NZ with Lauren Nottingham/Mark Donlon Project and played in New York and London with Seamus Blake and Alex Sipiagin.

Joining Mark will be Paul Dyne (bass) and Lance Philip (drums)

Door Charge
Members and Students with ID: $5.00
Non Members $15.00

Sam and Loris make a timely return to the Auckland Jazz & Blues Club with their signature jazz duo and will be joined by vocalist Allana Goldsmith.

Sam & Loris Duo are a guitar and piano duo who specialise in jazz, blues and latin music as well as a range of other styles and genres. They formed their duo during their time studying at the New Zealand School of Music (where they also met Allana) and have since been developing the concept and exploring the endless possibilities of playing in this instrumental format. Their collective interest and passion has led them on to establish a professional jazz duo and "band for hire" that has seen them perform at numerous private/corporate functions and public events.

This year Sam & Loris were part of the National Jazz Festival Tauranga where they performed at the popular downtown carnival and also at a screening of The Glenn Miller Story at Rialto Tauranga. They also performed a well-received concert at Bayswater, a major Metlifecare retirement village and they are looking forward to presenting some of that material from their Tauranga tour on the night.

The show will include a set by Sam & Loris Duo followed by two sets as a trio with Allana Goldsmith. They will perform a variety of material that will span through many different styles and genres and will include a beautiful selection of American Songbook and jazz/ latin standards as well as some jazzed up covers and possibly even an original.

Sam, Loris and Allana warmly welcome you to join them on this special evening at the AJBC and they hope you have an enriching evening.

Door Charge:
Members and Students with ID $5.00
Non Members $15.00

      Cory Pesaturo (“C Pez”) is on the forefront of the accordion world, pushing the boundaries on multiple fronts of what is possible with the accordion.  The only person to ever win the trio of World Championships on Acoustic, Digital & Jazz Accordion, and the only accordion graduate of the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA.  In 2017, Pesaturo became a Guinness World Record Holder, as RedBull®  flew him to Austria to break the Marathon Accordion Record, in which Cory played for over 32 hours.  Cory’s main contribution is his visionary thinking of how the accordion should be used, played, taught, and presented in modern music.  He has given 2 TED Talk’s and 2 Google Talk’s about this, which are currently the only TED or Google talks in the world about the accordion.  Pesaturo is also developing his own electric accordion, and already has made the first ever skinned accordion which includes a symmetric lighting system attached to the keys.  

      Pesaturo's extensive resumé includes appearances at the White House for President and Mrs. Clinton on 4 different occasions, starting at age 12, and 8 other appearances for the Clintons since 2000, along with 14 letters from the first family.  On one of those occasions, he became the youngest person to ever perform at a State Dinner, performing with the Marine Strolling Strings for the President of Hungary.  Some TV appearances include the Late Show with David Letterman, performing with Johnny Depp, and nationally televised programs in New Zealand, Canada, Italy, Tunisia, France, and Finland.  On an NYC broadcast, CNBC/FOX host Maria Bartiromo once said “No one is currently doing more for the Accordion than Cory”.  He has judged accordion competitions in the US, Canada, and Europe, in addition to other music competitions, and currently gives masterclasses at various universities throughout the US and Europe on Accordion and Improvisation. 

    For his Classical side which is lesser known, a win in a concerto competition at 16 years old gave Pesaturo the rare opportunity to perform with the Brockton Symphony Orchestra as a featured soloist, where he became the youngest accordionist to ever solo with a symphony orchestra in the US back in 2003.  Concerning his Jazz side, Cory recorded two CD’s with saxophone legend George Garzone and his known band “The Fringe” at age 19, and has become friends with Jazz and Music Legends Quincy Jones and Wynton Marsalis.  His performances at all 3 of his World Championships were played on accordions that were not his, and were generally 90% improvised; both aspects are unheard of in the accordion world. 

    The instruments most famous legend in the US, Dick Contino, said when Cory was only 15, “Of all the accordionists I’ve seen over the years, Cory is the one to pass the torch to, the only one who has all the tools to bring the accordion back to its former glory.”  Guido Deiro’s son, the “Father of Piano Accordion”, has stated “I’ve worried greatly about the future of the accordion since my father died, but not anymore since seeing and hearing Cory.” 

    Pesaturo is also heavily involved and respected with the weather and motor sports worlds as well.  He composed the Official list of records set by the record-breaking 2005 Atlantic hurricane season and also wrote the lists for the 2007 and 2008 Seasons as well.  Moreover, he has put out reports on Winter Seasons for the US which have been featured on Accuweather.com, HurricaneCirty.com, and others.  Cory is known for his FreeSledding work, including his own sledding mountain called “CN Mountain”.  He has written sports blogs for sites like Bleacher Report, and has collaborated with members of the Red Sox and the Drop Kick Murphy’s on the “Fenway 100” album released in 2012.  His music has been played on Formula 1 broadcasts on NBC, FOX, and Velocity, and additionally has an ongoing musical relationship with 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston.   

For this event there will also be performances by The Mike Walker Trio
Mike Walker, Pete McGregor, Bruce King

Door Charge:
Members and students with ID $5.00
Non Members $15.00

Tenorists John Mackey, Roger Manins & Andy Sugg unite to form TTTenor

For more than fifty years the tenor saxophone has been the sound of jazz. Think Sonny Rollins or John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter or Michael Brecker, Chris Potter or even a young Kenny G. So, what could be better than a jazz combo fronted by a tenor saxophone? Easy … one fronted by three!

But three-tenor line-ups in jazz are rare. That’s one reason why the jazz combo TTTenor is so special. Another is that the saxophonists of TTTenor are John Mackey, Roger Manins and Andy Sugg. Based in Canberra, Auckland and Melbourne respectively, these tenorists represent the very best of contemporary jazz in the southern hemisphere — and on stage together they make the most exciting three-tenor jazz combo performing anywhere in the world today.

These powerhouse players shine at the very thing that makes jazz so unique and special – great solo and collective improvising. Mackey, Manins and Sugg’s experience is wide — they’ve worked with a veritable who’s who of the international jazz scene — and their understanding of the language is deep. Each pays homage to the tradition while at the same time driving it forward in exhilarating ways. Each has a strong distinctive voice, and whether using it to blend smoothly together or stand out on their own, when they appear on stage together something very special happens.

When you hear TTTenor perform you understand why jazz has had such an impact all around the world and why it’s still the most exciting music to see and hear today.

Door Charge:
Members and Students with ID $5.00
Non members $15.00

Tuxedo Swing was formed some 30 years ago under the name “The 1932 Jazz Orchestra” and directorship of Merv Thomas. Back then the band’s focus was accurately reproducing the dance music of the late 1920’s through to the 1930’s.

Since that time the band has seen some many changes and it was over 16years ago Brendon Packard took over the band. It was soon after that the band decided that “The Tuxedo Swing Orchestra” was a more fitting name and with it came a refocus on specifically the swing dance styles of the 1940’s.

Tuxedo Swing has certainly survived the test of time and on Tuesday 28th May Brendon and the band will have a program that will certainly test your ability to sit still so come along and enjoy one of New Zealand’s finest swing bands.

Door Charge:
members and Students with ID $5.00
non members $15.00

Aron Ottignon writes hits, collaborates and listens.

Mixing jazz, roots, Caribbean, Afro-beats and more, his world of music defies a Universal label. Re-gaining artistic independence in 2018, the prodigious pianist has found time for a prolific work load producing, composing and engineering an EP every six months (or that’s his plan) from his Berlin studio, in between collaborations with World Music and Afro-beat superstars. These include celebrated Senegalese percussionist Bakane Seck (featuring Grammy nominee Baaba Maal from Black Panther), and Puerto Rico based ÌFÉ – with a single to be released this spring, FYI. 



From his native New Zealand to Kreuzberg, Aron has made waves in Europe, touring with WoodKid, writing with Stromae, and also literally making an EP called Waves, which was picked up by Blue Note (along with other releases The Nile and Team Aquatic).



If you can’t find him touring his latest show (alongside 4 musicians, 2 percussionists, and a drummer), then look for his latest news and EPs on the usual social channels.

Matt Ottignon is a gun sax player/multi-instrumentalist with indisputable musical genes. A finalist at the 2002 Wangaratta National Jazz Awards, two-time Freedman Fellowship nominee and one of Australia’s hardest working musicians, he creates sounds that spring from everywhere he’s been and everything he’s seen... music that’s undoubtedly earning him a place among the key constituents of the contemporary scene. 

He leads Sydney band Mister Ott specialising in East African funk and with two albums under their belt. Co-leads Sydney jazz trio Informal Troupe, is part of the Java Quartet, and has performed recently with Aria winners Ten Part Invention, New York based Cuban pianist Elio Villafranca. He also tours internationally with the show Scotch and Soda, Ben Walsh’s Orchestra of the Underground, with Aria Nominated Lah’ Lah’s big live band, and with Aria nominated french themed band Baby Et Lulu. 

Matt last toured to NZ in 2012 with the Ottignon brothers and before that in 1998 with Mike Nock who he was studying with at the time in Sydney.

Outside of the jazz world Matt has appeared on stage with international legends from Lou Reed and Brian Wilson to Steve Cropper and Donald Duck Dunn. He’s played with and/or appeared on the recordings of Portishead, Hermitude, The Herd, Jimmy & Mahalia Barnes, Katie Noonan, Marcia Hines, Aria winners Monsieur Camembert, Guy Sebastian and Jackie Orszazcky and toured to Brazil, Columbia, India, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Canada, UK, Germany, France and Holland.

Door Charge:
members and Students with ID $5.00
Non Members $15.00

Hot, Swinging New Orleans Jazz.

A new and exciting 6-piece Traditional Jazz Band featuring some of the best trad’ , New Orleans and Dixieland musicians from Australia and New Zealand.

Brian Kelly and Lindsay Meech had a vision to play hot, driving trad’ jazz and have put this band together to perform in N.Z. in May 2019. It Features some of the cream of Australasia’s Jazz talent, including the remarkable clarinet playing of Jason Downes. Not to be missed!

Lindsay Meech – cornet and Vocals (Auckland)

One of the finest exponents of New Orleans trumpet, Lindsay Meech started playing music in his home town of Wellington in the early 1960s. He has lived in Australia and UK and was active in jazz bands in those countries.

A founding member of the Auckland based Vintage Jazz Band, which toured the USA and Australia many times, he has also toured Australia, UK and Europe extensively as a guest with European bands many times, and had five years touring with the Melbourne based Louisiana Shakers on annual tours to Europe of up to six months each. Lindsay has played with Melbourne based Ray Lewis and his Dixie Heroes in tours of Australia for 9 years straight, and he was also featured at the Waiheke Island jazz festival numerous times and also their offshoot, the Fiji festival.

Lindsay Meech has backed American stars such as Wild Bill Davison, Art Hodes, Sammy Price and Tommy Saunders in concert, as well as Judith Durham of the Seekers fame.

Jason Downes – Clarinet (Melbourne, Australia)

Jason Downes is an energetic clarinet/sax player who cut his teeth in Melbourne jazz scene during the 1990s before heading to the UK for 5 years in 1999. Toured extensively throughout the UK, Europe, and the US and has had the opportunity to play with some of the most well-known traditional jazz musicians including Graeme Bell, Bob Barnard, Max Collie, Tom Baker and many others. He appears on a number of recordings including The Hot B Hines (Aus), Allen Beechey’s Bright Stars of Jazz (UK), Michael McQuaid’s Red Hot Rhythmakers (Aus), The Late Hour Boys (Aus) and more recently The Hot Jazz Alliance (Aus/US). Whilst you’ll hear aspects of Dodds, Bechet and Noone in his playing, Jason brings a fresh and dynamic approach to the music of the 20s, 30s and 40s.

Brian Kelly – Trombone (Auckland).

Brian has grown up playing trad jazz and was the leader of the Hotter Than Six Jazz Band that played international Jazz Festivals in the 1990’s. He learned the trad style in the 1980’s with Bill West and the past few years have seen him leading the Hauraki Hot Six with Lindsay Meech.

Don Franks – Banjo (Wellington)

Don Franks has played banjo, guitar and piano professionally around Wellington for forty years. He has played banjo for The Valley Stompers, City Jazz, and The Bill West Jazz band. Don is a driving, energetic banjo player. His solo album “Banjo Salad” is on donfranksnz.bandcamp.com

Graham Saker – Double Bass

Graham has been on the music scene for many decades playing in swing bands, dance bands and traditional Jazz bands. He was a key member of the Vintage Jazz Band that played the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee several times. This was the largest jazz festival in the world.

Ian Smith – Drums / Vocals (Melbourne, Australia)

Ian has been playing music professionally since he began in bands on drums at aged 18, teaching himself trumpet, tuba, and later double bass. He has played all over Australia and in many parts of the world as a member of popular and successful bands such as ’Cathay Pacific Jazz Band’, ‘New Harlem’, ‘Hotter Than Six’, ‘Fireworks’ and ‘Tom Baker’s San Francisco Jazz Band’, as a drummer or trumpet player. Ian is happiest when making good music and entertaining.

Door Charge
Members and Students with ID $5.00
Non Members $15.00

This is the 20th year of operation for Voxnova, a band that has hosted musicians from all over the globe. Each has left a trace on the repertoire and style.  The current line-up has been in place for 2 years, “the best yet,” according to founder/percussionist Alan MacDonald, who is joined  by James Sneyd (violin), Alberto Santarelli (double bass), Doug Robertson (guitar).                       Our Monday residency at the very chic Caretaker Bar, into our second year,  has allowed us to become really tight and creative enough to keep the regulars enthralled for all that time.  There is a balance between Manouche swing and rumba, “an echo of our Latin traces” says Alan.  “The level of communicating between the soloists is incredible and reminds me of the Flamenco notion of duende, an instance where the musicians transcend their individuality, play as one and the audience senses it. In metaphysical terms this is called non-locality, a period of respite from the mundane.”

Door Charge:
Members and Students with ID $5.00
Non Members $15.00

Tonight's performance sees Eamon return to the Auckland Jazz & Blues Club for a sing-along friendly night of feel good New Orleans music.

Eamon Dilworth is a Sydney-based trumpeter, songwriter, vocalist and educator. He is a graduate from the Sydney Conservatorium in jazz and has released three critically acclaimed albums of original jazz music. He now applies this background to a multitude of other genres—performing, recording and touring with artists as diverse as Ed Kuepper, Tijuana Cartel, Caravana Sun and The Aints. He has studied toured across Australia, New Zealand and Europe and studied in Italy. His latest project, Crawfish Po’Boys, showcases his skill as a vocalist and songwriter, bringing together some of Australia’s finest jazz musicians to create New Orleans-inspired dance music for everyone to enjoy.

Eamon Dilworth's Crawfish Po'Boys Band:

Eamon Dilworth - Trumpet & Vocals

Olivia Penner-Wilson - Vocals

Roger Manins - Saxophone

Spike Walker - Piano

Wil Goodinson - Bass

Andrew Keegan - Drums

Door Charge:
Members and Students with ID $5.00
Non Members $15.00

One of our greatest entertainers, Ray sings the great swing hits made famous by acts such as Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Dean Martin and more recently Michael Bublé, but expect some good old rock and roll when Ray gets back to his roots

Door Charge:
Members and Students with ID $5.00
Non Members $15.00

SHUFFLE CD PROMOTION TOUR BLURB

 Do you like straight ahead swinging, shuffling Blue Note era JAZZ? – have you heard of Jimmy Smith, Captain Jack Mcduff or Stanley Turrentine? Have you heard drummer Donald Bailey play the shuffle feel? Well folks, we are not here to copy anyone, but Shuffle was born out of love! That's right! – Love of the music of the masters in the classic 50s and 60s Organ, Saxophone, Drums, Guitar Quartet. We will present new material from our CD SHUFFLE which features Ron Samsom, Michel Benebig, Roger Manins and one of the USA's greatest Jazz guitarists ever, Mr Carl Lockett. For this tour Mr Lockett cannot join us, but don't worry! We have two of the finest and greatest guitarists currently in NZ to join us, both with very big FEET!!- The amazing and super creative Mr Neil Watson, and direct from CANADA, to play his first gigs in first gigs EVER on New Zealand soil, the amazing Mr Keith Price! You gotta be happy with that!!  Come along and have a great time! 

Sometimes an album blows straight into your heart like a warm breeze off the summer ocean. ‘Shuffle’ is exactly that album. There is an easy-going familiarity to it and you instantly feel good as your body connects with the rhythms. Shuffle achieves that rare feat of sounding both new and familiar. This is the sound that I grew to love many years ago, as practitioners like Jimmy Smith, Big John Patton, Gene Ammons, and Brother Jack McDuff fused Soul and Jazz into a rare amalgam. To appreciate this music you need no acclimatisation; no understanding of Jazz. To appreciate this music you only need one prerequisite, a human heart. It’s ‘groove’, it is sensual and it’s my guilty pleasure. - John Fenton

Door Charge:
Members and Students with ID $5.00
Non Members $15.00

Steve Barry Trio

“...dazzling in his harmonic adventurousness, melodic resourcefulness, switchback rhythmic ideas and non-bombastic sense of drama.” — John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald, 13 November 2015

Steve Barry is a Sydney-based pianist, composer and improviser. Awarded his PhD in composition in 2018, Barry’s recent trio/quartet and solo projects traverse the boundaries of jazz and art music -reflecting a broad spectrum of harmonic hues and equally balancing both intricate and free-wheeling ensemble interplay. Pulling together influence from the likes of Thelonious Monk and Paul Bley, Barry’s music is steeped in the jazz tradition while playfully foraying into other realms.

Barry is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Bell Award for Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year (2013), 2nd place in the National Jazz Awards (2013), and a BBM Travel Scholarship (2011). He was a finalist in the 2017 APRA Professional Development Awards and a nominee for the 2016 Freedman Fellowship. His 2018 quartet release Blueprints & Vignettes has been longlisted for the 2018 Australian Music Prize.

Having grown up in Auckland, Steve relocated to Sydney in 2009 to study at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music -where he now lectures in jazz piano and improvisation.

Tonight Barry by joined by a the stellar local rhythm section of [TO BE CONFIRMED] for two sets of original music and lesser-heard jazz standards.

Door Charge:

Members and Students with ID $5.00
Non Members $15.00

Queen City Big Band is now in its 40th year, keen again to present another great show for the Auckland Jazz & Blues Club, Big Band music at its big band best playing a selection of Queen City favourites new on old.

Our vocalists will also feature some stunning vocal group arrangements, along with several of our young and exiting instrumental soloists who will have their chance to impress.

Come and support the club and celebrate Queen City Big Band’s 40th anniversary year, great music, entertainment and fun.

Door Charge:
Members and Students with ID $5.00
Non Members $15.00

This Quintet will perform a blend of jazz with their own contemporarygroove, French Chanson, a mix of blues, with Latin and folk influences.

Featuring Maria O’Flaherty on vocals; Ben Fernandez on piano, ‘TheViolin Guy’ Nick Jones, David Hodkinson on bass. These musicians aresome of Auckland’s most respected and experienced Jazz musicians.

They perform with passion and energy, a delight to listen to

Door Charge:
members and students with ID $5.00
non members $15.00

“The Flaming Mudcats hail from Auckland, New Zealand, but easily could be mistaken to be from Chicago’s south side.”

Steve Jones. Crossroads Blues Society, Rockford Illinois USA. Dec. 2018

Doug Bygrave (guitar) Craig Bracken (Vocals/Harp) Ian Thomson (drums) Johnny Yu (bass)

Now in their eleventh year and three albums under their belt, Aucklanders, Craig Bracken, Doug Bygrave, Ian Thomson and “newbie”, Johnny Yu are collectively better known to Blues fans as The Flaming Mudcats.

They have performed in the USA, Australia and Pacific Islands as well as manage a busy schedule right here at home. Their energetic set blends their own material with a few covers drawn from the guys’ eclectic influences. Butt shakers to soulful grinders…welcome to the show.

The band’s third and latest album “Cut Loose” is a stomping collection of mostly originals, celebrating styles, rhythms, good and not so good times.

Door Charge:
Members and Students with ID $5.00
Non Members $15.00

John Leigh Calder, Bassist/Vocalist and international artist is appearing at the Auckland Jazz & Blues Club on the 5th of March before returning to London.  Starting his music carrier in NZ in the early 60s John has recorded 5 albums, written for film and toured throughout the UK and Australasia always featuring top musicians in his lineups. His 2019 performance at the club will feature John Leigh Calder Vocals/Upright Bass - Matt Watson Piano/Hammond - Roger Mannins Tenor Saxophone & Neil Williamson Drums.

Door Charge:
Members and Students with ID: $5.00
Non Members $15.00

Dan Bolton is a singer/songwriter/pianist with a unique sound, honed over the years from his time living in New York City. His songs are 21st Century standards, incorporating elements of jazz, pop and Latin American styles. His music is reminiscent of George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin but with a modern twist.

Returning to the Auckland Jazz And Blues Club by popular demand, Dan will be performing with an all-star lineup: Craig Walters (woodwinds), Mark Lockett (drums) and Seth Boy (bass).

Dan will be featuring songs in the show from his latest album, “Living To Regret It,” interspersed with various songs he’s recorded in New York City and jazz standards.

"Dan Bolton is a world-class songwriter and performer. I am especially impressed with his prolific song-writing ability; being able to capture the listener with great storytelling and sense of melody. It has been my absolute pleasure to work with him and record his music." - Adrian Cunningham (New York City based sax player)   

Dan Bolton is slick, quick and ready to deliver a world class performance of his swinging straight ahead jazz tunes every time. People love his relaxed manner and humorous patter and his show appeals both to jazz lovers and non-jazz lovers alike." - Roger Manins (Iconic New Zealand Sax Player)

Door Charge:
Members and Students with ID $5.00
Non Members $15.00