The Flaming Mudcats are a rip snortin’, fire breathin’ blues outfit that puts heart and soul into every note they play.
Often gritty, sometimes raw, they hold nothing back and play the blues like they had no choice in the matter.
Fronted by Craig Bracken one of the country’s most accomplished harmonica players, Doug Bygrave provides the six-string raucousness, while Sean McCarthy and Ian Thomson provide the band with its hard working rhythm section.
The pieces don’t just fit together seamlessly, they belong together.
They have recently returned from a whirlwind visit to the USA where they opened the inaugural Field of Blues Festival in Chicago Illinois and played on the B.L.U.E.S Chicago and Kingston Mines club stages on the famous Halsted Street.
Equally at home on large festival stages or in the intimate setting of a club it’s plain to see right away that these guys love the music they make together.
The Mudcats are never too loud or too showy, and pay attention to detail while they pull off the tricky task of playing tribute to their heroes without slavishly ripping them off as they confidently move through different components of the blues — shuffles, soul, funk, four on the floor rock and roll and low down blues.
Anyone who argues that good blues is getting hard to find has never heard of this band… chances are you couldn’t find a tighter good time band.
The Flaming Mudcats mission is to put a smile on your face and then kick you in the ass, musically speaking.
They succeed.
Audiences have bruises to prove it!
Everyone can identify with the Mudcat’s brand of blues; it’s just that not everyone knows it.

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

Twistin’ the Swing is a lively acoustic gypsy jazz band influenced by the music of Django Reinhardt, 1930-40’s swing and Romani songs. 

The band consists of the sublime Asher Truppman Lattie on clarinet and saxophone, the exceptional Phillip Beatson on gypsy guitar, the rock-solid Travis Hill on la pompe guitar and the incomparable Djordje Nikolic on double bass. The sense of rhythm, musicality and dynamic interplay between band members creates an atmosphere that is highly energetic and engaging. They alternate this vibrancy with slow melodic ballads and medium swing tunes, suitable for any occasion.

Twistin’ the Swing have been performing extensively for the past several years, at parties, weddings, swing dance events, theatres, corporate events, markets and festivals such as Auckland Arts Festival, Auckland Jazz Festival and Music in the Parks. They gig every second Sunday afternoon at The Occidental on Vulcan Lane (come along and have a Belgian beer and a dance!)

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

Hipstamatics are a 10 piece high energy soul/ funk band and Masters of the Funk Remix. With a set full of red hot remixes and authentic old skool Funk originals Hipstamatics Stage show is something to behold.The line up is classic Showband from the Motown, Stax and Atlantic golden years. They could well be New Zealand’s hardest working band playing well over 100 shows a year for the last 4 years. From the smallest stages to full on Festivals Hipstamatics blow the roof off every show.

Dillon Riesterer. Molee Taou and Victor Hawkins-Sulfa are a vocal force to be reckoned with.

A tight and hot Horn section made up of Thabani Gapara, Jerome Drumm and Jonathon Brittain will wow any crowd.

And the engine room consisting of Hannah Elise, Cam Sangster, Liam Pram and Matt Lorden are rock solid.

Any time Hipstamatics are around, there’s a party goin’ on. Bet on that.

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

Long time collaborators Stephen Morton-Jones (saxes) and Young Um (Piano) continue their unique musical exploration, jazzing up some of your favourite tunes from popular music and the classical repertoire. Joining them for this special night of music are the supremely talented Cameron McArthur (bass) and Jono Sawyer (drums). 

Stephen has been a staple of the Auckland Jazz scene since his return to NZ in 2000 after spending a few years performing and studying music in Europe and the USA. As an alto and soprano saxophone specialist he has performed and recorded regularly with many of Auckland's stalwarts such as Frank Gibson, Murray McNabb, Phil Broadhurst,Young Um, Mike Walker, and most recently the Julie Mason Group. Stephen has performed at many national festivals including being part of headline acts several times at the annual Tauranga Jazz and Blues Festival. 

Young Um is an outstanding female Korean pianist who has built a considerable following on the Auckland jazz scene.

She Studied at Yon-Sei University (Bachelor in classical composition), Seoul, Korea and Massey Uni Bachelor in Jazz piano). After gaining a classical composition degree she worked as a music composer for MBC and EBS Korean broadcasting company as a music composer.

Since she moved to NZ her various groups have performed for Pump House winter jazz festival, Music in Parks and many jazz venues accompanied by leading musicians such as Alberto Santareli, Barry Young, Stephen Morton Jones and Susan de jong. In 2011 she launched her album “Distance” which includes her originals with Oliver Holland, Jason Orme .

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

Jenny B  is Back!
Jenny B is back in New Zealand bringing her twenty five years of experience singing in Italy, France, New York and various points around the globe, including Auckland Jazz and Blues Club audiences. In 2013 she won the Award ‘Coltellino s’Oro’, the highest award that the Consortium of Parmigiano Reggiano offer to personalities from the world of art, culture, business, sports and entertainment. Jenny has also done many television appearances in Italy, as well as studio work, and in 2000 won the best female vocalist award and the press and critics award at the San Remo festival, the award was presented by Luciano Pavorotti. This is a singer, with several hits to her name, with that special something which delights audiences everywhere she performs.
The Prohibition Jazz Experience Band is a ten-piece little big band which presents jazz standards, latin jazz and popular standards. During February 2018 they performed at the Q Theatre, accompanying Paul Ross,  and Cornwall Park, accompanying Marjan.  The musicians are: Lukas Fritsch, Markus Fritsch, James Langabeer – saxes; Grant Langdon and Richard Breed tpts; Mike Young – tbn; Ben Fernandez – pno/kybd; Nathan Collings- gtr; Stu Johnstone bass; and Trevor Thwaites drums.
 

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

Oli Holland’s Jazz Attack!
 
German bassist and composer Olivier Holland once again calls the crème de la crème of young Jedi masters (no, not Padwuan learners, masters!) to hit Auckland with a short tour of this powerful and skilled band. 
On the menu this time are brand new compositions, a debut performance of works that Oli is going to record with jazz giants Geoffrey Keezer and Terreon Gully in Germany around April this year. And you will be the first to hear them! And you will be in tears if you miss this! The menu will be enriched and contrasted by some skillfully arranged standards.
 
Olivier Holland: Bass
Misha Kourkov: tenor
Nick Dow: Piano
Daniel Waterson: drums
Michael Howell: guitar
Finn Scholes: trumpet
Special guest: Roger Manins on tenor!
 
 
Oli’s bio:
Bassist Olivier Holland has performed at major festivals and venues in Europe and Australasia, with artists such as Joscho Stephan, Danny Weiss, Djamel Laroussi, Nathan Haines, Whirimako Black, Stefon Harris, John Goldsby, Doug Lawrence, Jamey Oehlers, James Muller and Florian Ross. 2017 also saw him perform and present at the ISB (International Society of Bassists) world convention in New York. He has to date contributed to 22 CD releases, 3 of which are his own projects. Olivier is lecturer for double bass at the University of Auckland and holds a doctorate in jazz bass. 

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

The Swingin’ Steam engine is a very typical New Zealand jazz group with a mixture of muso’s with day jobs and some who are busy with “other music” careers. What brings them together is a desire to explore a collective interest – a cohesion of spirit - that can only be experienced in the joy and freedom of jazz!

Ross Devereux on Alto convened the band two years ago with a selection of hard bop material. A graduate of the Christchurch Jazz School, Ross has largely been involved in music education since graduating in 2001. He has performed with The Garden City Big Band, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Stan Walker, and various trios/quartets over the years. Now, as school

principal, Ross finds time around his busy schedule for music and the Saxophone.

Trumpeter Mike Booth may be a familiar face to the Jazz and Blues club having performed with a variety of groups over the last few years. After 20 years in the Netherlands Mike now teaches at Auckland Uni, has co-founded the Auckland Jazz Orchestra, and performs with a wide variety of musicians including Phil Broadhurst, Nathan Haines, and Rodger Fox. Mike also currently plays with the Walters/Booth project, and the Superhero Second Line Band.

Joel Griffin - Usually heard on Alto or Bass, but you’ll see him on Tenor this time.

Joel has a full time job in the IT industry but finds time to pursue music after hours. He studied at the New Zealand School of Music and plays with various ensembles including the Auckland Jazz Orchestra and cover band One Night Stand.

Mark Baynes (Doctor of Musical Arts) is an accomplished pianist and composer in a wide variety of genres outside of Jazz with a diverse range of performers such as King Kapisi, Che-Fu Don McGlashin and the Topp Twins! He is currently a senior lecturer at Mainz. His jazz credentials follow on from a first class honors degree in Jazz Performance.

Drummer Andrew Keegan is involved in many different musical projects ranging in styles from jazz to avant guard to electronica and pop. Andrew hails from Sydney originally graduating from the Sydney conservatory of music studying under some of Australia’s best jazz educators and players. Now based in Auckland Andrew works with many of New Zealand’s best musicians and producers both live and in the studio.

On Bass Wil Goodinson is fast establishing himself as one of the best in town.

He has recently completed his Bachelor of Music, majoring in Jazz Performance. He has performed at various jazz festivals around New Zealand and is often gigging throughout Auckland playing various styles of music.

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

The Club is delighted to welcome back two of NZ's finest jazz musicians- PHIL BROADHURST & JULIE MASON, after their year's sabbatical based in Paris. They have many adventures to report- both musical and travel-wise, and have spent a year feasting on the finest of American & European Jazz Musicians at all the top jazz clubs in Paris, along with some great festivals. Their performances have taken them from Ronnie Scott's (London) to The Bb Bar (Berlin) and from Paris to the South of France, and their listening from American Jazz Greats such as Eliane Elias, Pat Metheny and Dianne Reeves, to European Jazz Greats such as Enrico Pieranunzi and Jan Garbarek.

Julie & Phil return with renewed enthusiasm and vigour, and both have exciting projects lined up for 2018! In the meantime, they will be bringing you an appetising mix of tunes from the GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK- so be prepared for some favourite Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter and many other songs by top American composers, with the following line-up:

PHIL BROADHURST: piano
JULIE MASON: piano/vocals
ALBERTO SANTARELLI: bass
FRANK GIBSON: drums
......and special guests:
MIKE BOOTH, CRAIG WALTERS, ROGER MANINS, BRIAN SMITH & LINN LORKIN.
COME AND CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR WITH THIS GREAT BAND OF JAZZ MUSICIANS!

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

Based in Sydney since 2009, pianist Steve Barry grew up in Auckland and spent much of his teens playing with local luminaries such as Roger Manins and the Queen City Big Band.
Steve now maintains a busy schedule composing, teaching and performing across Australia, New Zealand and, more recently, Japan and East Asia. He recently completed his PhD in composition at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, focussing on the uses of pitch class sets and intervallicism as tools for composition and solo and collective improvisation. Steve is the co-founder of Orbiturtle, a not-for-profit arts organisation that aims to foster a growing community of musicians and artists by curating new collaborations between artists from across the Asia-Pacific region and establishing a medium for the intersection of eastern and western art and philosophy. In January last year, Steve spent two weeks in Japan collaborating with renowned koto player and improviser Michiyo Yagi.
Steve is the recipient of numbers 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.
Joined by a stellar local rhythm section, tonight's show sees Steve return to his roots in jazz standards and the classic music of the Great American Songbook, alongside selection of compositions from his latest quartet recording and a product of his doctoral studies, Blueprints & Vignettes.

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

Nanny Assis is a Brazilian, New York based vocalist, instrumentalist and songwriter. Nanny has just won best male vocalist for the Brazilian Press Music Awards 2017 and nominated for best show in New York also instrumentalist. He will perform songs from his Double Rainbow album, with standards also. Nanny is an outstanding vocalist drummer/percussionist and a talented songwriter who has touched hearts and souls through his music. Anybody that sees Nanny perform immediately feels his rhythms and notes often snatching audiences away, other times energising them enough to stand up and dance and sweat until you cant sweat no more to use Bob Marley's lyrics. Nanny Assis is quite simply a gifted artist. 

Nanny has been collaborating with vocalist Maggie Gould in New York and Maggie has her inspiration from Ella Fitzgerald, Astrud Gilberto, Ivan Lins, Chet Baker and Elaine Elias. Her music is described as soft, sultry, vocals with space, her performances have taken her to festivals Tauranga Jazz, Samoa, Monterey, Rome, Venice to Lon

Members and Students with ID $5.00
Non Members $15.00

French song and gypsy swing with NZ's premier vocal manouche band, La Luna & the Gadjos. 
Chanteuse La Luna (Caro Manins) sings vintage Piaf with nerve and verve together with classic songs from the steamy hot clubs of Paris. She is aided and abetted by sax-man Roger Manins, adding a touch of New Orleans soul, and the gypsy talents of Phillip Beatson - lead guitar, James "le Prof" of the burning violin, Sam Swindells - la pompe, Chris Marshall - contrabass

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

The Brian Smith Quintet.

This will be a wonderful night for jazz lovers. Look forward to a smooth sophisticated evening of music from some Kiwi icons you all know and love. 

Brian Smith - Sax, Bruce Lynch - bass, Frank Gibson -Drums, Chris Nielson - Trumpet etc. Dean Kerr -Guitar. 

All have had illustrious careers in music both here and overseas. All have played with some of the best known music artists in New Zealand and internationally. The lists of accomplishments is far too long to list here. 
Make sure you don’t miss this night. 

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

Big Ticket is a band which specialises in taking modern pop songs and playing them with a vintage twist. Our repertoire includes songs by popular music greats such as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and The Rolling Stones and also more current pop sensations like Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift. All songs are played in a variety of vintage styles which includes Swing and MoTown.

We also play a collection of standards by the likes of Nat King Cole, Elvis and Ray Charles.

Featuring:
Allana Goldsmith, Hannah McGrail and Lilo Asiata - Vocals
Asher Truppman-Latie - Saxophone
Paul Norman - Trumpet/Trombone
Sam Swindells - Guitar
Loris Zigon - Piano
Wil Goodinson - Double Bass
Tristan Deck - Drums

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

The Auckland Jazz and Blues Club traditional final night of the year features the mighty Queen City Big Band performing lots of Christmas tunes in their own special big band jazz style

This will be a big night get there early

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

DOG, featuring Kevin Field, Roger Manins, Ron Samsom and Olivier Holland are some of NZ's most highly regarded Jazz musicians and their self-titled album DOG won the award for the Tui 2015 New Zealand Jazz album of the year. For this performance they will be playing some of their latest compositions!. Expect a lot of fun and energy, and support this great band at the Auckland Jazz and Blues Club
 Kevin Field - piano. Ollie Holland - bass.  Ron Samsom - drums Roger  Manins  Tenor sax

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

Tonights entertainment features the top bands from The Auckland Scholl Jazz band Competitions held earlier this year

Lynfield College Big Band 2017

The LC Big Band is directed by Paul Norman and has members from Year 9 through to Year 13.  In August this year they were awarded Best Big Band at the Auckland Schools Jazz Band Competition.  This was their fourth win since the competition began in 2013.  At the KBB Music Festival they were placed in the top 4 Big Bands to qualify for the Gala Showcase where they were presented with a Gold Award and two new awards:  Best Performance of a Ballad and Best Performance of a Swing Chart.  Three of the the Year 13 members intend to study Jazz at Auckland University next year.

The St Peter's Jazz band is an ensemble dedicated to providing young learners with a broad and diverse experience of performing music. They are committed to exploring repertoire from across the jazz spectrum, ranging from the the beginning of the big band era, right up to today. Today's program will feature selections from artists such as Duke Ellington, Nina Simone, Count Basie, and Harry Connick Jr. The St Peter's Jazz band is led by Ben Sinclair and tonight's featured vocalists are Max Hackshaw, and Netta Solomon-Brown (Baradene College). 

 

Rangitoto College Big Band (directors: Markus Fritsch & Nathan Collings)

The Rangitoto College Big Band is the auditioned Senior Jazz ensemble of our school. Students aged 14-18 are committed to rehearsals, sectionals and instrumental tuition – and most of them are living the Jazz life style! In 2017 we have been fortunate enough to take part in the Pacific Basin Music Festival in Hawaii in April.  In June we took part of the Wellington Jazz Festival, where we saw Dave Weckl amongst others as well as receiving awards for best Big Band, best Jazz Combo, best trumpet, best drums, best bass player and best overall musician of the festival. In August the band enjoyed their part in the Auckland Jazz & Blues Club Competition this year and the KBB Music festival, where they won respective Gold Awards, placing them firmly in the top Jazz bands in Auckland. We are extremely honored that the Auckland Jazz  & Blues Club is inviting us to perform on a regular club night and are excited to perform there again! And we have some special guests as a surprise up our sleeve…    

Personnel: Drums: Tom Lawton; Bass: Sally Han; Guitar: Donovan Rae; Piano: Emily Wong; Trumpets: Bella Thomas, Tim Kwon, Miles Timmis, Noah Ferguson-Dudding, Giona Basso; Trombones: Luca Basso; Suzie Xu; Chuan Li, Daniel Xu, Tim Prosee; Saxes: Marco Vas, Daniel Gailer, Krishna Suresh, Charlie Harmer, Georgie Trivanovich. 

The Auckland Secondary Schools Big Band was created in October this year.  Directed by Paul Norman, it is comprised of 24 of the most talented young jazz musicians from 10 different schools across Auckland.  The purpose of the band is to extend the students by providing them with the opportunity to play professional level charts and further develop collaboration across schools.

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

 

BEN WILCOCK & THE JELLY ROLLS release 

‘THE PHANTOM CANOE’ 

In January 2017 pianist Ben Wilcock set about composing an album of instrumental jazz
inspired by Te Arawa legends of the Rotorua region. 

"I thought why not write about where I live, like the saying, 'write about what you know’. I
wanted to write about the area of Rotorua and the lakes." 

The result is the Jelly Rolls’ third album ‘The Phantom Canoe’, which features nine
interpretations of four different beloved narratives. 

‘Kataore' (the taniwha dragon) is a passionate tango and opens the album. 

The well known love story of ‘Hinemoa and Tutanekai' is interpreted in three variations, one
including a cameo bass saxophone appearance by Dan Yeabsley. 

‘Man and his Dog’ tells the tale of Ihenga’s discovery of Lake Rotoiti, along with his dog - 
‘Potakatawhiti’. 

The album concludes with The Phantom Canoe suite, which includes a chilling portrayal of
the famous sighting of a ghost ship on Lake Tarawera, days before the 1886 eruption. 
Swamp Thing and Jonathan Buttler Trio percussionist Michael Barker features on the
vibraphone. 

‘The Phantom Canoe’ was released at a sell out show as part of The Wellington Jazz
Festival on June 10, the anniversary of the Mt Tarawera eruption. A Rotorua release concert
is in the planning. 

The album can be found at www.thickrecords.co.nz as a download, and is available on
Thick Records’ (NZ) USB card series, packaged with high quality audio, a 12 min
documentary and ‘moving liner notes’ designed by award winning artist Riley Claxton. 

Available now at: www.thickrecords.co.nz / www.benwilcock.com
MEDIA RELEASE JUNE 2017 

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

Lauren Nottingham Bio:
Lauren Nottingham is a vocalist from New Plymouth whose serious interest in Jazz began in 2011 after she won the award for Most Outstanding Vocalist at the inaugural New Zealand School of Music (NZSM) Jazz Festival.  This led her to study Jazz Performance at NZSM from 2012 – 2014 where she established a profile as a promising young musician. Alongside her love for jazz is her love for choral singing. Lauren was a member of the 2014–2016 New Zealand Youth Choir, who went on a European Landmark Tour last July, and won the Grand Prix in the 2016 IFAS in Pardubice Czech Republic and also all four categories it competed in. Other recent projects include featuring alongside Jamie Oehlers in UK pianist & composer Mark Donlon’s latest album release ‘Shadowbird’, and releasing an album as the lead singer of Multiplayer - a band showcasing the original works of Californian Jazz pianist & songwriter Matt Sagen. After spending the past year living in Berlin, Lauren is back home continuing to develop her own musical collaborations.

Mark Donlon Bio: 
Mark Donlon is a renowned British pianist, composer and educator currently based in New Zealand. He is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM). Recent and upcoming album releases include ‘Southern Shift’, which is an album of improvised solo piano pieces and ‘Between Moons’ - a duo album with New-York based, Grammy Award winning trumpeter Alex Sipiagin. 2017 will see the release of ’Tales From The Diaspora’ - a quintet album recorded in New York and featuring Seamus Blake, Alex Sipiagin, Boris Kozlov, Mark Donlon on piano and Donald Edwards on drums. 2016 saw the release of the debut album ‘Shadowbird’ by his Australasian group which features Australian saxophonist Jamie Oehlers.
He has performed with artists such as George Coleman, The Machito Orchestra, Maceo Parker, Dave Valentin, Dave Liebman and Kenny Wheeler to mention but a few. He moved to New Zealand in 2013 to take up the post of Head of Jazz at the New Zealand School of Music, where he teaches Jazz improvisation and Jazz piano along with being a busy performer.

Quotes from reviews in the UK national press:

‘a fabulously gifted pianist’ (Manchester Evening News - Alan Brownlee)

‘brilliant, focussed playing’ (The Times – Alyn Shipton)

‘Streaming up-tempo freedom, at times suggestive of the implacable precision of early Paul Bley . . . Donlon’s take on ‘My Foolish Heart’ and ‘Recorda Me’ was a revelation (The Guardian – John Fordham)’

Door Charge

Members and Students with ID $5.00
Non Members $15.00

Pure of tone and sweet sounding, jazz vocalist Hetty Kate was born in England and moved to Melbourne as a youngteenager. With nine diverse albums under her belt in the last decade, and a regular international touring schedule, Hetty has built a reputation for being ‘truly one of the best swing-style singers on the current scene’ (Will Friedwald, jazz critic andauthor). She approaches each song and performance with a natural musicality, and is often lauded for the clarity in her voice. Hetty spent three years touring with James Morrison and was the featured vocalist in his award-winning symphonic concert‘The A to Z of Jazz’ which toured NZ in 2015. She is a regular at jazz and swing festivals around Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and her career highlights range from singing at the Sydney Opera House to touring Victoria with the Melbourne Recital Centre’s Share The Music Program. Hetty is now based in Paris, France.

“a stage presence only matched by the clarity of her voice” James Morrison AM (AU)

Outstanding guitarist James Sherlock was born in Christchurch, before moving to Brisbane as a young teenager. Known for his ability to convey a lyrical and luscious timbre on his instrument, James has an ongoing duo project with celebratedBrisbane vocalist Kristin Berardi, and has worked with a variety of Australia’s finest; as well as many visiting artists such as Leroy Jones, Sheila Jordan, Cyrille Aimee, Jon Riley and Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts. He was awarded the Ike Isaacs International Jazz Guitar Award and as a bandleader has released six albums as well as appearing on many more for other artists. Close tohome, James has a weekly residency with Melbourne bebop sextet Bopstretch, and is currently completing an new album, to be released late 2017.

“Sherlock is a wonderful guitarist, and a craftsman of songs possessing beauty and depth.”
Ian Patterson : All About Jazz Magazine (USA)

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

SUZANNE LYNCH  

Suzanne was discovered along with her sister Judy by New
Zealand guitarist Peter Posa, the two sisters became regular
performers on the New Zealand television show ‘C’Mon’ in
the late 60’s and in 1971 as a soloist Suzanne was also a
regular on the television show ‘Happen In’. Having
established a name in New Zealand as the blonde member of
the popular 60's duo "The Chicks" and then as a solo
performer; 

Suzanne studied vocal technique with the well known singing
teacher from Covent Garden in England, who had recently
moved out to New Zealand.. Hubert Milverton Carta for 3
years, before travelling to England in Jan 1973 and she
quickly became one of London’s first call session singers
singing on Albums by Chris De Burgh, Art Garfunkel, 
ShaWaddyWaddy, Cleo Lane The Walker Brothers and Cat
Stevens to name just a few. She joined Cat Stevens band in
1974 and performed with him on two world tours and on all
his recordings until he gave up his music and became Yusuf
Islam. She had the pleasure of singing with him once again in
Christchurch last year at his concert there as his special
guest. 

Whilst in England Suzanne also did a lot of work with Neil
Sedaka, touring and recording a live album with him at The
Royal Festival Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in
London. She toured with Charles Aznavour throughout
England and Europe. She performed on many English
television shows, including a Lulu Special, a series with Leo
Sayer, and was a regular singer on the English television
series, “Get it Together”. 

Back in New Zealand in 2004 – 2007 Suzanne was the vocal
coach for 3 seasons of New Zealand Idol, and 2008 – 2009
vocal coach for Stars In Their Eyes., and has been the vocal
and performance coach for New Zealand’s Got Talent, for the
last two years. 

Currently Suzanne teaches contemporary vocal technique
and stage performance, and is still busy performing as a
soloist, and as a member of the well known vocal group “The
Ladykillers, with Tina Cross, Jackie Clarke and the The
Ladykillers special guest Annie Crummer .. 

Suzanne will be backed by the Mike Walker Trio

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

Voxnova is enjoying its 20th year of existence, performing a mixture of Latin, Manouche offerings focussing more recently on a progressive form of these genres as well as originals penned by Violinist James and Guitarist Doug Robertson.
Members in order of appearance: 
Alan MacDonald (founder/percussionist), Fine Art Grad.
Alberto Santarelli  (double bass) Ex APO, well established figure in the jazz scene.
James Sneyd (violin) Maths Professor by day, seasoned and energetic performer of many years and genres, at night.
Doug Robertson (guitarist)  Bachelor Music graduate, highly imaginative improvisationist, composer.
  
We currently enjoy a regular Monday residency at the very chic, literally underground Caretaker Cocktail Bar in the Britomart district.

Door Charge:

Members and Students with ID $5.00
Non Members $15.00

The Experience Band grew out of the Bublé Experience Band so popular with Jazz and Blues Club audiences from 2014. For this show we present not only jazz standards but nostalgia songs such as Blood, Sweat and Tears, Earth, Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, the Average White Band and instrumentals from the Brecker Brothers plus some great new latin charts written for little big band. 
The band features Marjan a talented vocalist, songwriter and actress (seeher in the  newly released film 6 Days) who has performed at the Tauranga Jazz Festival, CJC, Music in the Parks, Cornwall Park and Xmas in the Park. Marjan’s unique sound has been shaped by years of listening to Motown, Jazz, R&B, and Pop and also draws inspiration from the music and traditions of her indigenous Persian culture. 
The ‘experienced’ musicians are: James Langabeer, Lukas Fritsch, Markus Fritsch – saxes; Grant Langdon and Matt Howell tpts; Mike Young – tbn; Ben Fernandez – pno/kybd; Nathan Collings- gtr; Sally Han bass; and Trevor Thwaites drums.
 

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

Ray Woolf With The Mike Walker Trio
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

The Mike Walker trio features Bruce King and probably the best all round bass player in New Zealand, Billy Karaitiana, (Christian). Mike, Bruce and Billy worked together for over 40 years, & with Steve Garden toured with Ray Woolf for 15 years. They also toured with Ray Columbus and Peter Posa, as well as backing the great Chuck Berry.
 

Billy set the benchmark for bass players in the 60s, was in numerous TV shows in the 60s - 80s such as C-mon, Happen Inn & a TV special with Ricky May. He has played on over 30 albums/cds as well as producing cds /albums for 12 bands including "Herbs". His first bands were Max Merritt and the Meteors, Ray Columbus and the Invaders as well as Billy Thorpe. He has also played in Headband & Filthy McNasty Night. It will be a night not to be missed, as you will feel many years of musicianship playing for you.

Door Charge:

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

The Lindy Tops Featuring Loris Zigon are an Auckland swing band influenced by jazz styles from the 1920s through to the 1950s. They perform their take on classic jazz standards,  up tempo swing tunes, jazz ballads, latin and bossa nova.
Formed in 2016 initially to provide exciting live music for swing dancers, the band has since performed at various locations and events around Auckland.
The Lindy Tops features a talented line up of young musicians – Stephanie Harmsworth on vocals,  Denholm Orr on double bass, andSam Swindells on guitar. The Lindy Tops also welcome the addition of special guest Loris Zigon on piano.
The Lindy Tops have an extensive repertoire including classic standards such as Lady is a Tramp, Caravan, Fly Me To the Moon, Besame Mucho, Puttin' On the Ritz, Lullaby of Birdland, Honeysuckle Rose and much more.

Door Charge:

Members and Students with ID $5.00
Non Members $15.00

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. They combine a beautifully blended vocal trio with a hot swinginʼ band and decked out in uniforms ready for action!
The Sisters of Swing have been performing around New Zealand for the last 10years, featuring three of New Zealand’s best swinging jazz vocalists Maria O’Flaherty, Emma Leon and Trudy Lile, all of whom have performed extensively as individuals in Jazz and Arts festivals, and shows, both in New Zealand and Australia. 
They have a tight vocal blend, with songs that will take you back to the war era: 
In the Mood, Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree, Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen, Three Little Sisters, Oh Johnny Oh, Rum And Coca Cola, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Beat Me Daddy 8 to the Bar, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Sing, Sing........and more!

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

The Gary Harvey Band has always had a strong presence in the live music scene with numerous festivals, tours and TV appearances.    
The band has become known for its strong blues roots, steeped in the sounds emanating along Highway 61 and  inspired musically by both American and British blues rock music.
Despite the indifference of mainstream media in New Zealand, Harvey is an irrepressible character who just keeps doing it. He and his current band -- himself, longtime pal Tony Abbott, drummer Neil Stewart and the legendary 'Strayfalcon' — play often enough to keep sharp and have fun. (Graham Reid, Elsewhere)
Their latest release Ghost Dance has been critically acclaimed and is available on iTunes and Spotify.
 

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

Fresh from her standout performance at the 2017 Matariki Festival Allana Goldsmith returns with her group to grace us new and old songs! And even some originals!

Allana Goldsmith is a jazz singer in the classic vein of singers such as Ella Fitzgerald, backed by Jason Orme on drums, Jo Shum on bass and Marc Baynes on piano.

Allana Goldsmith has been singing as a part of the Auckland jazz scene for 14yrs. She came up through the ranks playing with and being mentored by some of the senior jazz greats of New Zealand, who were, according to Goldsmith ‘“highly instrumental in furthering [her] jazz education.”

Allana is New Zealand Maori/European. Her iwi are Ngati Porou and Ngai Tai. She was born in Ruatoria, East Cape, and moved to West uckland when she was 6yrs old. 

Allana Goldsmith is a rare gem. The kind of artist one hears for the first time and is immediately captivated by. To skillfully blend Te Reo, her native language, with modern pop/ jazz standards, plus creating her own original songs, is a path less travelled and not for the faint hearted.

Her preparedness to take on challenging projects and to do them well is impressive. Her voice is strong and in many ways she is reminiscent of the great singers of the past. 

What is not redolent of past singers, however, is her preparedness to tackle adventurous modern projects, also. 

At a renowned 2013 CJC showcase Goldsmith selected a few well-known and some lessor performed standards, and, to stamp her own mark on them, sung often in Te Reo Maori. 

Allana Goldsmith’s unique approach to the music is highlighted in her original voice. It is tempting to think of songs sung in Te Reo Maori as being different or apart from European traditions. In Goldsmith’s case that is not so as she has maintained the integrity of both traditions. 

The best illustration of this at the CJC event was her brilliant rendition of the Miles Davis tune, ‘In a Silent Way’. This was the first tune of her set and she used it as a Karakia or blessing. The notion of using this open, spiritual number to unify the audience and to call down blessings was a perfect beginning.

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

With the return to Auckland of Brian Kelly after 6 years in San Fransisco this band was formed to play blues,swing tunes and some Dixieland classics.

Personnel - Lindsay Meech cornet,vocals

                     Brian Kelly trombone

                     Chris Nielson soprano saxophone 

                      Phillip Beatson guitar 

                      Glyn Frewin bass

                      Owen Kneebone drums

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

The Band of the Royal New Zealand Navy is proud to present an exciting night of Big Band Jazz. Enjoy an entertaining collection of classics from greats such as Count Basie and Duke Ellington as well as some modern favourites. Featuring talented soloists from within the band, this will be a night you won't want to miss!

The Royal New Zealand Navy Band is an extremely versatile ensemble of full time professional military musicians. Its primary role is to perform as a Military Band providing music for the ceremonial, public relations, recruiting and entertainment requirements of the Navy, NZDF and the Government and public of New Zealand.

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