Mike Booth

Trumpeter Mike Booth has maintained a freelance career performing a wide variety of music. Before locating to Europe Mike performed with Cats Away, Netherworld Dancing Toys, Dave Dobbyn and many other familiar NZ icons.

Mike lived in the Netherlands until 2008 playing with the Dutch pop band de Dijk, the Dutch Jazz Ochestra, (Will Saldon’s) Glenn Miller Orchestra amongst many others and lectured at the Rotterdam and Alkmaar Conservatories there.

Returning to NZ early in 2008 Mike teaches (NZSM Auckland and Wellington; Auckland University; High School itinerate in Auckland and Hamilton), has co-founded the Auckland Jazz Orchestra, and performs with a wide variety of musicians including Tui Jazz award winners Phil Broadhurst, Nathan Haines, and Rodger Fox. Mike currently plays with the Walters/Booth project, Santiago All Stars and the Superhero Second Line Band.

" Saxophonist Craig Walters has emerged as one of the country's strongest voices" .      
 Sydney Morning Herald
 
 
Craig studied with Jerry Coker in 1982 and received a scholarship to study at Berklee College of Music in 1983.
Teachers include: Billy Pierce, Bruce Nyfong, Andy McGee and breifly with Joe Viola
additional lessons in New York with George Coleman and Steve Grosseman
Craig has worked professionally in Sydney since 1985.
 
Craig has performed with:
 
Bob Mintzer, Miichael Bublé, HarryConnick jnr, Michael Feinstein,
Louie Bellson, Billy Cobham, Cleo Lane & John Dankworth, 
Bobby Shew, Jim Pugh, Chuck Findlay, Bill Reichenbach, Bob Florence, Rob McConnel,
John Riley, Jim McNeely, Buddy DeFranco, Joe Williams, the Pitzarelli Brothers,
The Four Tops and the Temptations, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Michael Bolton.
 
Local Jazz Groups include:
 
Don Rader Quintet (currently), Mike Knock Quartet, Dave McCrae Quartet / Quintet, Mark Isaacs Quartet, Craig Scott Quintet, Paul MacNara Quartet

 Big Bands Include:
 
The Sydney All Star Big Band, Sydney Jazz Orchestra, Sydney Festival Orchestra, James Morrison Big Band, 
John Morrison Big Band, John Hoffman Big Band, Ten Part Invention,
Bob Coassin Big Band, New Zealand Youth Jazz Orchestra, Rodger Fox Big Band. 
 
Other groups & Artists include:
 
Tom Burlinson, Marcia Hynes, Tina Arina, Steve Clisby, African Band  "Bu Baca"
Dynamic Hepnotics, Mighty Reapers, Rhonda Birchmore,  Doug Parkinson, Doug Williams, Jeff Duff,
Tommy Tycho Orchestra, Trevor Griffen Sextet, Blaine Whitaker Sextet.
 
Theatre Productions Include:
 
"Frank" The Sinatra Story in Song (Tom Burlinson) and  "Now We're Swingin' ,
Grease, Fame, The Rocky Horror Show, Jerry Springer Opera.
 
 
Craig has performed at the:
 
Montreux Jazz Festival (80 & 81), Jazz Yatra Festival India(94), Wangaratta Jazz Fest, Bellengen Jazz Fest, Manly Jazz Fest, Wellington International Jazz Fest, Christchurch Festival of the Arts, Nelson Jazz Festival, the Sydney Festival,
 
Craig has performed in:
 
London, New York, Los Angeles, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, Vancouver,
Australia & New Zealand

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

Midge Marsden has enjoyed a well-documented music career spanning four decades in New Zealand, Australia, The UK and America. 

An early career change and passion for rhythm and blues and roots music led a sixteen-year-old Midge to join the 1960’s band ‘Bari and the Breakaways’. At the end the 60’s Midge joined the NZBC working in radio, however music performance pulled him in again with the Wellington cult band ‘The Country Flyers’; followed by several years in Australia with ‘The Phil Manning Band’. On return to New Zealand in the mid 80’s he began a solo career forming ‘The Midge Marsden Connection’ and then ‘The Midge Marsden Band’.

This resulted in several albums and a loyal fan base and following. A career highlight was the platinum selling album ‘Burning Rain’ in 1990. The intervening years have been a combination of teaching music, performance, song writing and touring.

Based on the very successful album: ‘Travel n Time’ (2008)  Midge’s new album ‘Back to the Well’ has also enjoyed steady sales. Midge drew from life experiences growing up in Taranaki, performing and touring in America and his early music life in Wellington.  Also included are cover versions of some much-lovedsongs that ‘fit the concept’ of the record.

The outcome is a very different and personal themed album. In his own words Midge says ‘this is a project unlike anything I have done before and I hope that people enjoy the

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

Big Ticket is an eight piece band which specialises in taking modern pop songs and playing them with a vintage twist. Our repertoire includes songs by the likes of Ed Sheehan and Taylor Swift and also classics by popular music greats such as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and The Rolling Stones. All songs are played in a variety of vintage styles which includes Swing, MoTown and Funk.

Our music is great for swing dancing, and also for just a good old boogie.
 

Lineup:

Vocals - Allana Goldsmith & Lilo Asiata

Saxophone - Misha Kourkov

Brass - Paul Norman

Guitar - Sam Swindells

Piano - Loris Zigon

Bass - Wil Goodinson

Drums - David Harris

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

Greetings to all. We have good news, VOXNOVA has burst into life once more with the arrival of our hot new guitarist Doug Henderson, jazzman music grad / composer.

We look forward to working with Doug with his fresh approach to improvisation, and to restoring some classic Voxnova tunes such as Spain (Chick Correa), Entre Dos Aguas, Guardian Angel, etc by Paco De Lucia.

Sebastian the amazing vocalist remains a part of the Voxnova family as a special guest performer.

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

Kathryn Hopkins and Friends - Birthday Bash

Kathryn began her journey in music as a child in Australia where she excelled in musical theatre, singing and piano - even performing for Queen Elizabeth.  Years later she moved back to her native New Zealand where she re-connected with her passion for performing and took up a singing residency with the North Habor Swing Band (an eighteen piece big band led by the late Ross Hurley) and became a member of the Sisters of Swing trio (SOS) performing the Andrew Sisters material with strong three part harmonies.  Kat moved to Los Angeles early in 2014 where she currently resides and is following her passion for singing, continuing her piano studies and writing her own material.  She has enjoyed performing in various venues in Los Angeles with small ensembles and also sings with a few big bands.  She recently travelled to Brazil during the olympics where she performed with a local brazil jazz band in two shows. She is now focused on recording her first album of originals in 2017 and is excited to return to her homeland and the opportunity to sing at the Auckland Jnb Club, backed by some of Auckland’s finest and dear friends to her late father, New Zealand drummer Tony Hopkins.  It’s her birthday bash, so come and celebrate!  She’ll perform a few songs from her recent BeatleJazz show in LA arrange by brother Tim Hopkins, a few originals, some favorite standards and will  be joined by special guest Mike Murane.

Kat Hopkins - Voice

Mike Walker - Keys

Pete McGregor - Bass

Bruce King - Drums

Tim Hopkins- Sax

Special Guest - Mike Murane

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

       Formed in 2006.

        Band member..Keri Betti - Harmonica, Keyboard, Vocals.

                                   Jack Mooney - Guitar, Vocals.

                                   Paul Brewer - Bass, Vovals.

                                   Garry Betti, Drums.

        Have played at.. Bay Of Islands Jazz & Blues Festival since 2007.

                                    Whangarei Jazz & Blues Festival.

                                    Tauranga J & B Festival

                                    Soundgarden.

                                    Mission Bay J & B Festival

                     Plus..    Auckland J & B Club.

                                  Variety Artists Club Of NZ.

                                  Dflat Music Club.

             And all the usual Cosmoplitan Clubs, Private parties, RSAs and fund raisers that bands play for.

 The band members from Indigo Blue are all very experienced and really enjoy playing in the band, we are fortunate to also have one of NZs leading harmonica players with us.

  We find that audiences really enjoy our selection of songs which is slanted to either a jazz or blues orientation..

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

Maria O’Flaherty & The Ben Fernandez Quartet

Their repertoire is vast ranging from Jazz standards with a twist, Latin influences and rhythmic folk that will set your heart humming and toes tapping.

Featuring Maria O'Flaherty (vocals), Ben Fernandez (piano), ‘the violin man’ Nick Jones, David Hodkinson on the mighty bass and strong rhythmic grooves from Jason Orme (drums). These guys are some of Auckland's most respected and experienced Jazz musicians performing at various events and festivals throughout NZ.

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

“Gibson is the very model is the 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.

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

Linn Lorkin Quartet

Most recently appearing at the Jazz and Blues Club in the “Piano Women” concert, Linn Lorkin is back with her own quartet, performing a heady mixture of standards and her own jazzy originals, “Me and the Magician”,  “K Rd” et al.

 Linn Lorkin - piano/vocalsHershal Herscher - squeezebox/vocals,  Peter Koopman - bass, Bryan Harris - drums/vocals  

“..one of New Zealand’s top songwriters…” William Dart, New Horizons, Radio NZ, 29/1/2017

".. I love her original songs..." Blossom Dearie, NY

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

German bassist and composer Olivier Holland has worked with countless national as well as international artists. His long music career, which began in 1989, has seen him migrate to NZ in 2002, infiltrate the NZ jazz scene and, teach at the University of Auckland Jazz Department since 2004. He still frequently travels across many ditches to perform and record with internationals. No less than a further four CD albums are on the “recordings-to-do-list” in the next 18 month; those will add to his discography which is already 23 albums strong.

2016: Oli has gathered a group of mega talented Jazz Jedi’s to form the group Jazz Attack. Despite their young age, these guys are no Padawan learners; the fourth is strong with them (as are all those other intervals)! Enabled by their off-the-charts midi-chlorians count in excess of 20 000, these guys will turn on the Worp-drive and explore new harmonic and polyrhythmic universes, where no man has gone before . . .

And you can come along, too! This group are playing at the Auckland Jazz and Blues Club on April 17.

On the menu will be Oli’s compositions as well as a couple of skilfully arranged jazz standards - they fit in no box, leave nothing unharmed. Be in for a night of power, dazzling complexity, and surprise!

May the fourth be with us all!

Basses: Olivier Holland

Drums: Daniel Waterson

Pianos: Nick Dow

Guitars: Michael Howell

Tenors: Misha Kourkov

Trumpets: Finn Scholes

Plus special guest appearance: Princess Leia (vocals)

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

Notorious for her energetic flair, Trudy is a jazz flutist and vocalist, who performs regularly in Auckland. She has also recorded, performed and toured as featured soloist with the The Jazz Divas, Sisters Of Swing, Auckland Jazz Orchestra, The Rodger Fox Big Band, Black Sand Diva, Rodger Fox’s Funkbone Experience, Andy Atwill, Jon Sanders, and Whirimako Black (2009 Jazz album of the Year).

Trudy has performed jazz festivals throughout New Zealand, as well as in Australia, South Korea, Indonesia, The Carribean, and in January this year, she had the rare opportunity performing on an exclusive Cruise ship, which went to the Ross Sea, Antarctica.

Come and hear our collection of jazz on the high seas, possible tales of the icebergs and penguins, with fellow voyager, 1st officer Alex Ward – piano, and the might engine room of Eamon Edmundson-Wells – Bass and Ron Samsom – drums.

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

Vibeke Voller and Dan Papirany
The musical partnership between Norwegian vocalist Vibeke Voller and Israeli jazz pianist Dan Papirany is truly exceptional!
The two have been performing together since 2014, and have released album “Don’t go to strangers” in 2015, with another album release due in 2017 (I took a chance).
 
Performances include corporate gigs, local Jazz clubs in QLD, Noosa Jazz Festival 2015, Auckland and Whanganui Jazz clubs New Zealand March 2016, the Dan Papirany trio with Vibeke Voller at EUROPAfest in Bucharest Romania May 2016, and the Bay of Islands NZ Jazz festival in August 2016. 
 
Vibeke and Dan are booked to return to New Zealand in March/April 2017. and tour of South east QLD with the last gig at the Brisbane Jazz Club on July 8th.
 
The complimentary interaction of these two unique talents has produced a fresh and polished musical experience!
They will be backed by Pete McGregor on Double Bass and Owen Kneebone on Drums

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

The Bridge City Jazzmen group was founded in 1962 by Don Bruce and John and Nick Wilcox. At the end of that year three new members joined the band, Bruce King (drums), Ray Pilkington (clarinet), and Neil McGough (trombone). During the late 1960s the band went into recess, but formed again in 1994 with Merv Thomas (trombone), Bernie Allen (clarinet), and Bob Ewing (double bass).

Now in 2016, we have Neville Grenfell (trumpet), Merv Thomas (trombone), Warwick Simpson (clarinet), Cameron McArthur (double bass), and Old Originals Bruce King (drums), and John Wilcox (piano). For our 6 September session at the Auckland Jazz and Blues Club we hope to have a guest accoustic guitarist, who will be introduced to you.

We look forward to bringing Club members the repertoire and style of the Chicago Dixieland years of Eddie Condon and his All Stars.  

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

Prima Swing Riot was formed by leader Pete McGregor in 1999. Pete had always wanted a Louis Prima band after hearing recordings of Prima when he was a teenager. He fell in love with the Louis Prima Keely Smith sound augmented by the raspy sax of Sam Butera.

This band was hugely popular in Las Vegas during the '50s and '60s performing to packed houses 6 nights a week and on the way having numerous top 20 hits like Just a Gigolo, Angelina, Buona Sera, Jump Jive and Wail, That Old Black Magic.

Pete was lucky to find a bunch of very talented people who were also keen on the project, with Louis Prima’s trademark trick arrangements and musical humour.

Prima Swing Riot was formed also partly to take advantage of the worldwide popularity boost for Swing music round that time, (Neo Swing) influenced by several movies which were extremely popular in Canada, USA and UK. Unfortunately those movies only made the second tier movie theatres in NZ meaning the swing movement never kicked in here like it did overseas.

However Prima Swing Riot were a significant success on the Auckland music scene with performances on TV, America’s Cup Celebrations, and many balls, concerts and large corporate functions. To add to their appeal Prima Swing Riot took their line up and turned it to popular covers for dancing with a name change to “Prima” for that market.

This concert brings together the original band with Adrian Keeling and Jane Horder on vocals, horn players Merv Thomas and Roger Manins and rhythm section including Mike Walker, Bruce King and leader Pete McGregor.

They will perform largely the Music of Louis Prima but will include some more modern swing music from the Neo Swing era. You may also get a few rock covers to end the night.

A rare chance to see and hear this iconic band in action.

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

ROSS MULLINS NEW CD THE POET AND THE FISHERMAN

It been a bit of a wait but Ross Mullins is back with a new cd to launch. 1985 to 1988 three albums as Last Man Down, 1991 to 1998 two albums as Ross Mullins and the Snaps, a New Zealand poetry tribute album in 2001 and now we have hit the year of the Trump 2017. That’s by anyone’s reckoning a pretty serious writer’s block. Oh excuses there are plenty and some of them compelling ones but Ross have never stopped writing, grafting away in deepest Devonport and The Poet And The Fisherman presents the best of what is salvageable from those intervening years.

The Snaps have brought these new songs to life with creativity and flair: they are Nigel Gavin (guitar), Peter Koopman (bass and backing vocals), Jason Orme (drums and percussion), Markus Fritsch (tenor saxophone) and Jim Langabeer (alto saxophone).

For the Jazz and Blues Club we will perform a generous helping of the new material plus the best of the Last Man Down songs with a few tasteful Jazz standards thrown in.

The reviews are still coming out but here’s a snippet from New Zealand Musician:

“… the group has great interplay, moving with ease between support, sectional and solo work. From groovy opening track The Age Of No Excuses to the meditative title track this album takes listeners on a journey through the NZ of their imagination. The closer is a fun instrumental jam titled Little Ray Of Sunshine (For Trelise) – really the whole album is a ray of sunshine – to be enjoyed on the deck with a cold beverage.”

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

Stefan Nagler

Stefan cut his teeth in performing and recording a CD with the
European Masterclass Big Band, under the leadership of Peter Herbolzheimer. 
Various tours, CD recordings as well as TV productions with the German Youth Jazz Orchestra, "the Bujazzo“ for the WDR (West German broadcasting company) followed. 
Winner of several awards and scholarships.
Stefan has performed at various clubs and festivals throughout Europe: Germany, France, Luxemburg, Poland, Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands and the UK. 
In 2007, Stefan first stepped into New Zealands music scene, joining old hands Sid and Freddy Limbert (The Remarkable Beatroosters, Midge Marsden Band, The Warratahs, The Handsome Giants) for a performance at Le Café Picton. For the past three years, he performed with several national and international Bands and musicians at various NZ festivals and club gigs up and down the country. (Waiheke Island International Jazz Festival, Titirangi Music Festival, Christchurch Jazz and Blues Festival )

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

Nanny Assis from New York and friends Maggie Gould, vocals, John di Martino, piano, Alex Griffen Bass play from Jobim, Ella, Miles, American songbook to Stevie Wonder. Nanny Assis has his album Double Rainbow and will play tunes from this for the first time in New Zealand. Nanny Assis is world renowed percussionist, vocalist, voted best male vocalist New York and best show. Nanny regularly performs at The Blue Note, BB Kings and Zinc Jazz in New York and internationally.

Maggie Gould shares her love of jazz and telling stories-  her love of beautiful Brazilian rhythms and influences Julie London, Ella, to Etta James.

Maggie has performed in New York and Venice and while singing inLondonDionne Warwick got up and joined her.

John di Martino is a grammy nominated pianist and has performed internationally, he is a composer and arranger and delivers an elegant and exciting performance.

Alex Griffen is well known in New Zealand as one of most funky, jazz and latin bass players he performs regularly Auckland.

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

Allana Goldsmith is a rare gem, the kind of artist one hears for the first time and is immediately captivated.

“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." - Gig review, the Creative Jazz Club.

Allana has been singing jazz for over 15yrs. She has appeared at many of the major festivals around the country, including the Tauranga National Jazz Festival in 2014, Queenstown Jazz Festival in 2015, and Wellington and Auckland Matariki Festivals in 2014-2016.

At the age of 19 Allana was taken under the wing of some of the great jazz musicians of New Zealand. This is learning the old school way, not from a book or sitting in a classroom, but with mentors, handing down their wisdom and experience over a long period of time. Allana has been privileged to work with some of Aotearoa’s finest jazz musicians. Allana says, “These gentlemen were highly instrumental in furthering my jazz education.”

Allana completed her jazz music degree in 2016 with excellent marks, and she is feeling confident about her future in music. She has a number of projects on the go, and tonight is no exception! Allana and her group will be presenting a concert of songs sung by those she calls “The Goddesses”. Tonight, not only interpreting more of Sarah Vaughan, but also the songs that Ella Fitzgerald made famous.

            “I relish studying the phrasing of these great storytellers. They were not merely singers but fantastic musicians in their own right.”

As requested at her concert last year at the Club, she will this time be sure to include a special selection of songs sung in Te Reo Maaori.

The Allana Goldsmith Group loves to play this style of jazz simply for the joy of it, because it is ‘so musical’. The band includes formidable and well-known players: Dr Mark Baynes (piano), Jo Shum (acoustic bass), and Jason Orme (drums).

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

John Leigh Calder

INTERNATIONAL VOCALIST/DOUBLE BASS PLAYER/SONG WRITER/RECORDING ARTIST.

Performing dynamic Jazz/Blues from sophisticated smooth Jazz to up tempo swinging Funky feels.

John started his musical career playing with school friend, Billy Taitoko (Billy T James). He subsequently travelled throughout the country with other national musical identities, before moving overseas.

While based in Sydney and London, he also worked throughout the UK and in Europe, where he performed and featured top UK musicians in his line-ups. These included; John Critchinson (Ronnie Scott's pianist), Colin Wood (Acker Bilks Pianist) and many more.

Currently, he is spreading his work between London, Sydney and New Zealand and he is available for bookings.

Credits include:  “Record of the week,” BBC Radio 1, Power Play Radio Luxembourg, BBC Radio and Television, Tyne Tees TV, Wembley Arena, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Hippodrome Theatre Birmingham, Theatre Royal Norwich and many others.

John was a regular guest at London’s famous jazz haunts such as the Pizza Express Jazz clubs, Pimlico Jazz Wine Vault, Booties Jazz Bar, along with numerous festivals and corporate jazz events both in the UK and Europe.

In Australia John has always featured with the cream of Sydney’s top musicians such as Col Nolan, Errol Buddle, John Morrison, Hamish Stuart, Kevin Hunt, Ray Aldridge, Alan Turnbull, Andrew Oh, Col Loughnan, Kerrie Biddell, Evan Mannell, Toby Hall, Matt Baker, Adrian Cunningham along with vocal appearances with Galapagos Duck and others.

He has performed at numerous major festivals, including Manly International Festival, Darling Harbour Jazz Festival, Bellingen Jazz Festival, Wollongong Easter Jazz Festival, Morpeth Jazz Festival, Burwood Festival, The Mackay Jazz Festival, Canada Bay Jazz Festival, Goulburn Blues Festival and New Orleans at The Rocks.

John is also well known in New Zealand through his performances at the Bay of Islands Jazz Festival and the Akaroa Jazz Festival, to name but a couple.

He has worked extensively throughout Europe and Australasia and was featured on the ABC's broadcast of the opening of the Soup Plus in Sydney where he was a regular guest. Sydney venues where he has been booked include: the Vanguard Basement, the Opera House and the Brisbane Jazz Club.

John has also composed music for and appeared in the feature film ‘Bitter and Twisted,’ starring Noni Hazlehurst and Matt Newton. His original music also featured in the 3D film ‘Stood Still’ which was hosted by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, last year and he has just now finished a long residency at Sydney’s Low 302 Volume.

 He has recorded four albums of his own and worked on many others

John Leigh Calder Vocals / Double Bass ... Matt Watson Keys .... Roger Mannins Tenor ...Matt Hennessy Drums.

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

Barbie’s music career skyrocketed when she released her debut album “Borderline” in 1991 for the Warner Music label that resulted in her winning the prestigious NZ New Talent Professional Country Music Recording Awards. She appeared in most early Light Entertainment Television Shows, and along with her concert and cabaret performance experience gave Barbie a polished stage presence. This along with a unique vocal ability and warm persona made her a favourite headliner on cruise liners in the Pacific region.

A successful stint in Australia followed where Barbie appeared at all the top Country Festivals including Tamworth, becoming Queensland’s Queen of Country. Her interesting crossover style with influences from kd Lang, Juice Newton and Dolly Parton and a hint of Jazz/Blues singers, made her an instant favourite not only with the country fans but also the jazz followers. She was support act for many International artists, touring Australia and has appeared in Nationwide Television Shows.  All this led to her being invited to the USA to appear alongside Charlie Pride and Jeannie C. Riley two of the headline performers at the prestige FAN FAIR Event in Nashville, Tennessee to a crowd of 60,000.

Barbie was awarded the Ricky May Memorial Jazz Award in the style of Ricky May in Brisbane. She also spent 5 years touring with NZ Vocal Group GIRLS TALK.

After taking time away from the Music Industry, Barbie is BACK.  She has performed with the Queen City Big Band in Auckland and The Basin City Big Band at Forum North Theatre in Whangarei.  Barbie has also appeared at both the Bay of Islands Country Rock and Jazz & Blues Festivals with Brian Henderson Trio and “That’s Life.   Barbie is one of the few artists that can crossover successfully from Country to Jazz and has won awards in both genres.

In 2014 Barbie was awarded a Scroll of Honour from the NZ Variety Artists Club in acknowledging her Skill and Talent as a Vocalist and Entertainer, Her Gifts of Time to Charity and Her Unwavering Commitment to the Entertainment Industry of New Zealand.

Barbie is a Classy International Cabaret Performer with a marvellous feel for her audience, 

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

The Lindy Tops was formed in March 2016 with the vision of assmebling a band that expressed a passion for jazz standards with a particular leaning to swing danceable tunes. This sprung forth from vocalist Stephie's recent immersion into the Auckland swing dancing scene. Since then the Lindy Tops have performed at several swing dance events and have recently gained a residency at Queen's Cafe Bistro where they play every Thursday night. The band features a talented line up of young musicians, all who also play in various other jazz ensembles around town. Members: Stephanie Harmsworth, singing those songs. Mark Houghton, our one man brass section. Denholm Orr, holding that bassline. Sam Swindells, strumming those chords. Rhohil Kishore, keeping the boys on beat. The Lindy Tops bring to you their favourite jazz standards and swing tunes for all to enjoy.
Rhohil Kishore - Drums, Mark Houghton - Saxophone, Stephanie Hamsworth - Vocals, Sam Swindells (me) - Guitar, Denholm Orr - Double Bass.

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

Queen City Big Band presents an end of year Xmas finale for the Auckland Jazz & Blues Club, Xmas music at its big band best, and a selection of Queen City favourites to bring joy to your heart!

Featuring the bands fine vocalists and great soloists, come and support the club celebrate Xmas 2016, great year of music, entertainment and fun.

Door Charge:

Members $5.00
Students with ID $5.00
non Members $15.00

FLOUNDER   'A Berley bomb for the ears' 

Flounder features Saxophonist Roger Manins, Vocalist Caro Manins and Pianist Ben Wilcock. Expect some fishy interpretations of some good old swinging standards with plenty of fun and good humour....

PRESS QUOTES

"They may be funny looking but they have their eyes on the right side of the face"
 "Even when down they are always looking up"
" A ground baiting performance"
"Flounder hooks crowds"

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

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

The Rangitoto College Big Band is the Senior Jazz ensemble of the school. Students are committed to rehearsals, sectionals and instrumental tuition – and most of them are living the Jazz life style! In 2016 we have been fortunate enough to be part of the Wellington Jazz Festival, where we saw Wayne Shorter as well as receiving individual awards for best trumpet and best saxophonist of the festival. The band also enjoyed their part in the Auckland Jazz & Blues Club Competition this year and the KBB Music festival, where they won respective Silver and Gold Awards, placing them firmly in the top Jazz bands in Auckland. In 2017 we are planning a trip to the Pacific Basin Music Festival in Hawaii, where we have already secured a gig at the Hard Rock Café Honolulu. We are extremely honored that the J&B Club is inviting us to perform on a regular club night and are excited to perform there again!    

St Kentigern College:
Jazz Combo
This six piece ensemble have had an exciting year.  Under the direction of Paul Norman they won both the NZ Youth Jazz Festival and the Auckland Schools Jazz Bands Competition.  Individual students were also recognised with Ryu Kodama being awarded Best Drummer and Most Outstanding Musician and Andrew Isdale named as Best Saxophone Player. In May they participated in the Mt Gambier Jazz Festival, the first NZ school to do so.  The adjudicators and other band directors were so impressed with their performance that they are planning to add a combo section to the festival competition next year. 

Big Band
This band consists of students from Year 9 to 13 and is directed by Paul Norman. They were the winners of the Big Band category at the Auckland Schools Jazz Band Competition, held at the Auckland Jazz and Blues Club. At the KBB Music Festival they were awarded a Gold Award and invited to perform in the Gala Showcase for the seventh consecutive year. At the conclusion of the gala the band was also presented with the Tour Time Trophy for Best Jazz Improvisation.

Door Charge
Members and Students with ID $5.00

Non Members $15.00

Lou’ana Whitney, a jazz vocalist with a unique flavour. Performing an eclectic set of jazz, soul, blues and funk - her husky soulful tone captivates audiences. 

Lou’ana brings with her a band of stunning musicians, Stunning in look and talent. Dillon Riesterer on keys and vocals; Jason Herbert on guitar; Cam Sangster drums & Cam McArthur Bass, and for one night only, special guest Thabani Gapara on Saxophone. 

Enjoy a night of an array of  tunes, from known jazz standards to re-arranged classics, woven between the soulful stories of Lou’ana’s originals.

Lou'ana also completed her Jazz Degree at the Albany NZSM Massey University this year and this will be her third self-titled jazz gig to date! So is pleased to be performing at the Jazz and Blues Club with her own band after 4 years of various jazz school performances. 

Door Charge
Members $5.00
Non Members $15.00

A collaboration of two of New Zealands leading Jazz Musicians "Brave New Path" sees Stephen Morton-Jones and Young Um navigate through an exciting repertoire, bringing new sounds and a refreshing approach to the Jazz landscape. Enjoy an exciting evening drawing on the rich musical traditions of western art music and modern popular culture. Joining them for this special night of music are long time collaborators Cameron McArthur on bass and Jono Sawyer on drums. 

Bios - 

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

Jenny B has recently arrived back in New Zealand and members may remember her stunning performance at the Club in October 2015. Jenny brings over twenty years of experience singing in Italy, New York and various points around the globe. In 2013 she won the Award ‘Coltellino s’Oro’, the highest award that the Consortium of Parmigiano Reggiano and 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. Hear Jenny B singing backed by her NZ quartet: James Langabeer (saxes), Ben fernandez – piano, Stu Johnstone – bass, Trevor Thwaites – drums.

Door Charge:
Members $5.00
Non Members $15.00

PIANO WOMEN  
Featuring Linn Lorkin, Julie Mason and Jane Horder

The chick singers’ revenge!   An ability to play the piano gives a female singer a rare advantage in a world where many a male pianist would rather be just getting down with his band-mates than having to accompany some chick singer. Here are three fine examples of women’s independence in a unique concert we are calling ‘Piano Women”.  There are nevertheless two mere males involved, bassist Craig Williams and drummer Jason Orme.

                           LINN LORKIN

Singer-songwriter Linn Lorkin played piano in funk bands on the Auckland club scene in the 70s and went on to play at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in London in 1976.   Her performing and creative life found fulfilment in her subsequent eight years in New York where she played in piano bars and began writing her own songs. She has been very active in various cabaret-ish combos in NZ and her solo jazz musical  “Hey, Piano Bar Lady!” won Best Cabaret in New York’s United Solo Festival in 2013.

                                            JULIE MASON

One of NZ's foremost women in jazz, Julie has performed all over the globe, including Paris, London, Berlin, The USA, Australia and the South Pacific. She has been a finalist in the Jazz Album of the Year Awards, and recently released her 6th album "Layers of Disguise". She has also sung and played in concert with The Auckland Philharmonia, and The Julie Mason Quintet was the featured group for Bill Clinton (as President USA) and the APEC World Leaders Dinner.

                                 JANE HORDER

Consummate singer and performer Jane Horden sings in Auckland swing band ‘Prima Swing Riot’ and has performed in numerous musical both in NZ and Australia including Miss Saigon, Jesus Christ Superstar and Sweeney Todd.  She won a NAPTA award for best Female Actor in a musical for her performance in Nunsense in 2088. During the day Jane is the Director of Vocal Studies at Takapuna Grammar School conducting four choirs, a jazz vocal group and teaching musical theatre and singing.

With Craig Williams on bass
and Jason Orme on drums

Door Charge
Members $5.00
Non Members $15.00

Jazz Standards plus new feet stomping additions to the repertoire. This All Star Band with Mike Murane's infectious, stylish vocals will get you feeling good in a hurry.

Mike Murane from Sydney Australia, now lives in Piha, West Auckland. Mike's first experience as a professional singer was in an originals rock band in Sydney but discovered jazz, Frank Sinatra and a whole new world.
Over the last few years Mike has been featured regularly at the Tauranga Jazz Festival, the Christchurch Jazz Festival, the Auckland Jazz and Blues club and many gigs in and around Auckland. Mike sings and swings with obvious enthusiasm and talent. His style is very much that of the popular Michael Buble, with modern feel arrangements of old standards

Door Charge:

Members $5.00
Non members $15.00
Student ID $5.00

Black Dog are an exciting four-piece Auckland Blues band. Formed in late 2010, the band’s members have all "paid their dues" in a number of well known Auckland blues bands, and have joined forces to share a philosophy of exploring original music, expanding and growing the blues genre, and having fun.
Black Dog’s repertoire is a mixture of their original work and interpretations of classic Blues, including material by Howlin’ Wolf, B.B. King, Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. Black Dog’s original music covers topics such as love, lack of love, money, lack of money, women, lack of women and, of course, dogs.
The dogs love to strut their stuff to an appreciative audience, playing passionate slow songs that tug at the heart-strings, or, if the time is right and the magic’s in the air, wind up the dance floor.
  
Mark Foster
Mark Foster sings the blues and plays the harp between the singing bits. He's been doing so for quite a few years now and has somehow got away with it without his wife leaving him. He's got no reason to have the blues but singing about them make him happy.
Dave Cheetham
Dave Cheetham started playing guitar at 9, joined a band at 16, loves all music, particularly the Blues, and whose greatest pleasure is sharing music, either with other musicians or an audience, or even better, both. His favourite band is Black Dog.
Rex McLeod
Rex has been playing drums around NZ and overseas, for the past 45 years. During that time he has played with lots of bands of various genre's, along with touring with many local and international acts.  Rex just loves playing great music with other musicians who are fun to work with, like all the guys in Black Dog, to an appreciative audience.
Steve Sussex
Steve Sussex is a versatile bass player having played with a wide variety of groups in the Auckland music scene over the last 20 years. He has been with Black Dog since mid 2011

Door Charge Members $5.00 Non Members $15.00