Jenny arrived in New Zealand four years ago and members may remember her stunning first performance at the Auckland Jazz and Blues Club in October 2015. Jenny brings over twenty-five years of experience in television appearances and singing in Italy, New York, Cuba and various points around the globe. In 2000 Jenny won the best female vocalist award and the press and critics award at the San Remo festival, later, in 2013, she won the Award ‘Coltellino s’Oro’, presented by Pavarotti, the highest award that the Consortium of Parmigiano Reggiano. 

 Later this year (2019) Jenny will be performing with an orchestra in Brisbane and she has also three invited performances in Japan. In September Jenny will be performing in the live event, ”Synthony”, a show combining the best of electronic dance music with the full might of classical orchestra in Brisbane, and throughout New Zealand and she has also three invited performances in Tokyo, Japan, in November.

An Evening with Jenny Bfeatures Jenny telling her story as a performer through narrative and singing songs relevant to the time, as she progressed from her first band ‘The Funky Company’, through being the lead voice on the international hit ‘Rhythm of the Night, touring with Maceo Parker, recording in Cuba, and finally settling in New Zealand where her stunning voice and stage presence has delighted jazz audiences. Jenny will be accompanied by her seven-piece band, The Jenny B Experience Band.

Door Charge

Members and Students with ID = $5

Non Members = $15

Mike, Pete, Mat, Dix and Steve is an opportune collaboration; a powerful & exciting group offering straight-ahead swing, Latin Jazz, soulful blues and beautiful ballads.

Mike Booth (Trumpet) is a familiar performer at our club with the Auckland Jazz Orchestra; Dixon Nacey (Guitar) is unquestionably Auckland’s finest guitarist. Mat Fieldes played at the club recently and is a sought-after bass player in New York. Club members will look forward to Pete France (Tenor Sax) who is a consummate jazz saxophonist. Rounding out the quintet is our in-demand drummer Steve Thomas.

Door Charge

Member and Students with ID = $5

Non-Members = $15

Prima Swing Riot is a 7-piece swing band performing A Tribute to Louis Prima plus Swing Music and covers of popular hits

Lead by Pete McGregor this band includes some of New Zealand’s best-known and finest musicians and stars Adrian Keeling (Shortland Street) and Jane Horder on vocals.

Featuring a special tribute to Louis Prima and Keely Smith plus modern Neo Swing Bands like Cherry Poppin Daddies, Big Bad Voodoo Daddies, Brian Setzer Orchestra plus some of the great older swing music from The Andrew Sisters, Sinatra, Louis Jordan.

This is a rare opportunity to see and hear this great fun party band and it will be a night not to be missed!

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

Hipstamatics are a dynamic 8 piece band from Auckland, New Zealand with a distinct flavor. The bands style and musicality draws on classic 70s and modern funk fusion. The stellar line-up of talented musicians and vocalists play high-powered soul/funk arrangements, and have earned a reputation for their energetic live performances which are always sure to get everyone on their feet and feeling funky.

Door Charge.

Members and students with ID = $5

Non-members = $15

DOUBLE STANDARDS

With the Great Songbook Experience Trio

We promise you a great night of songs you know and remember featuring Clare Martin and John McGill

John McGill hails from Scotland and since arriving in New Zealand in the 90s he has become a highly regarded and experienced vocalist and front man for a number of big bands in the Auckland region, as well as performing with a variety of combos. He recently thrilled an audience of all ages at the Mahurangi Regatta with a repertoire which draws of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Perry Como and Tony Bennett, to name a few, and his relaxed unassuming style, sharp wit and Las Vegas style delivery will trigger lots of memories.

Clare Martin is an ex-opera singer (NZ and UK) who re-found her mojo in jazz and blues. She studies jazz singing with Julie Mason, regularly performs Ben Fernandez and sings with Imperfect Offering a Leonard Cohen tribute band and with various jazz groups. Clare is a singing teacher and coach, events organiser, and a music reviewer and radio DJ with the Radio13 Music Collective and will be singing some favourite jazz numbers.

The Trio features Ben Fernandez, Stuart Johnstone and Trevor Thwaites

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

The Frank Gibson Quartet never fails to deliver the groove and energy of swinging, straight-ahead, hard bop classics.

“Gibson is the very model of a tasteful rhythmically impeccable, trio drummer”, 
 – Los Angeles Jazz Times.

 “Gibson is the kind of drummer most musicians are only destined to wish for in this life”
– excerpt from Jazz Forum.

 
 
Frank has had a vast career which has taken him around the world and he is a musician who has shown his ability to play in any genre .All of this has given Frank a very successful career. His CV reads like the “Who’s Who” of jazz and he has played with many artists such as Frank Foster, John Scofield, Milt Jackson, Lee Konitz, Sonny Stitt, Joe Henderson and Sam Rivers. He has played across musical genres with a wide variety of artists from Dusty Springfield to Anita O’Day and Diana Krall. He has played on over 200 CDs/albums and 250 Jazz radio programmes, won Jazz record of the year 3 times, played on 10 other award winning albums, and been inducted into the Zildjian hall of fame.

Cameron Allen - Tenor Saxophone

Matt Field-Bass

Neil Watson - Guitar

Frank Gibson - Drums

Door Charge:

members and students with id $5.00

non members $15.00

Some of Auckland’s favourite (and NZ’s finest) Jazz musicians come together this spring to deliver a series of SPRINGTIME JAZZ concerts, and are delighted to be bringing their programme to the Club. Featuring well-loved standards on the theme of spring around the globe, plus a sprinkling of originals, Julie and Mike have enjoyed collaborating on this programme, with both contributing arrangements for the occasion. Amongst familiar old tunes such as “April in Paris”  and “It Might As Well Be Spring” will be lesser-known standards like “Spring Is Here”, and Freddie Hubbards “Up Jumped Spring”. With the emphasis on Julie’s sultry vocals and the melodic mastery of internationally renowned trumpeter Mike Booth, this concert promises to warm the heart, bring an occasional tear to the eye, and give hope that spring is only a few days off.

JULIE MASON is very familiar to Club audiences, having featured at the club since its inception with a wide range of musicians. Now, with 40 years of professional experience under her belt throughout Australasia/the South Pacific and Europe, she brings a new maturity in her vocal interpretations of the familiar tunes of “The Great American Songbook”. Adding to that her work as pianist with many great vocalists (Beaver/Malcolm McNeill/Hattie St John/Susan de Jong....) she is one of NZ’s finest “Hyphenates” (Vocalist/Pianist)- a coin phrased by influence Diana Krall. She is delighted to be working yet again with her rhythm section of choice for the past 3 decades, Frank and Alberto.

Julie Mason - Piano. Frank Gibson - Drums. Alberto Santarelli - Bass. Mike Booth - Trumpet.

 Members and Students with ID $5

Non-Members $15

This combo combines the cagey talents of elder statesmen and  well known sidemen Pete McGregor (bass) and Bruce King (drums) with the sublime youthful talents of South Korean pianist Young Um. Add to this a rare opportunity for folk to hear Stephen Morton-Jones (sax) special guesting all the way from Cambridge.

Listen to jazz standards and not so standards, both real and unreal, performed with a deft light touch as these guys go about their business for your listening pleasure. They probably will enjoy themselves as well !

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

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