Auckland Jazz and Blues Club

Welcome to the home of jazz in Auckland

Birkenhead RSA, Recreation Drive, Birkenhead.

Please see EVENTS section for weekly concert details.

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


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

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

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

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

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

Back to All Events

THE JUNE HAYES EXPERIENCE

  • Pt Chevalier RSA 1136 Great North Road Pt Chevalier, Auckland, 1022 New Zealand (map)

The June Hayes Experience’ blends a top line-up of musicians into a smoothly mixed cocktail where ‘The Great American Songbook’ classic jazz mixes well with classic pops and original works.  Accompanying June is Alex Ward – piano/vocals, David Hodkinson – double-bass, Jono Sawyer – drums, and special guest Thabani Gapara on saxophone.

JUNE HAYES – VOCALS

Well-known as a jazz singer/songwriter, lyricist, poet, and jazz entrepreneur, June’s career in music has seen her perform for numerous private, corporate, and public events, National jazz festivals, and internationally at the Brecon Jazz Festival in Wales. Her debut album, ‘To Whom It May Concern’ released in 2001,  followed by the 2013 release of her original composition album ‘June Hayes – Journey for the return home’ exposing her talents not only as a contemporary singer/songwriter, but also as a 'powerfully penned' lyricist. In July 2015 June created the popular Manly Jazz Club, providing another platform to ‘showcase’ fellow musicians. 

ALEX WARD – PIANO/VOCALS

Pianist/jazz singer Alex Ward has many gigs under his belt both locally and abroad, including ‘Blue Chip’ performances for Beef & Lamb New Zealand, Kate Sylvester, The Langham, Rendevouz and Heritage Hotels, Blue Baths Rotorua, The New Zealand Food Awards and Radio New Zealand. He graduated with honours from the New Zealand School of Music in 2012 and has been performing and teaching around Auckland and New Zealand ever since. He is the Jazz Programme Administrator at the New Zealand School of Music in Albany, and enjoys teaching piano at many local colleges.

 

DAVID HODKINSON – DOUBLE-BASS

Performing for 15 years as a bassist across many musical genres, David came through Avondale College under Paul Norman’s tuition and went on to study at the New Zealand School of Music.  David is the bassist for original bands dDub, Spiral, and the Alan Brown Quartet as well as being kept busy supporting various local jazz artists and in the house band for the National Youth Theatre Company.  He has also worked with Carl Doy, Hayley Westenra, and Tim Evans, and is enjoying a varied and exciting  musical career.

 

JONO SAWYER - DRUMS

Jono Sawyer began learning drums at the age of 10! Since then Jono has amassed a wealth of experience performing at some of the most prestigious music festivals throughout Europe, Asia and Australasia. His drumming career has seen him take the stage in more than 100 cities the world over, performing with a wide array of artists including Josh Groban, Chick Corea’s saxophonist Eric Marienthal, ex-Van Morrison bandleader Georgie Fame, Australian multi-instrumentalist James Morrison, UK pop sensation Will Martin, David K. Mathews (Santana, ex-Tower of Power) and many others. Locally, he has also performed as a featured soloist with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, held the drum chair of the nationally renowned Rodger Fox Big Band for over three years, and plays regularly with funk outfit Tahuna Breaks, the Alan Brown Quartet, as well as being a session player for a wide variety of musical styles and genres.

 

THABANI GAPARA - SAXOPHONE

Zimbabwean born and raised saxophonist Thabani was introduced to the saxophone at age 17 and has been playing since.  He has had the pleasure to play as a member in several musical projects in Zimbabwe, South Africa and now New Zealand.  His passion for collaboration has seen him work with several NZ artists including K-one, Batucada Sound Machine, MaVelle, The Leveites session band, Stan Walker, Catchafire, House of Shem and Three Houses Down to mention but a few.  He cites Kirk Whalum, Khaya Mahlangu, Hugh Masekela, and Jimmy Dludku as some of his musical influences.

Door Charge
Members $5.00
Non Members $15.00

Earlier Event: May 31
Hetty Kate
Later Event: June 14
The Auckland Saxophone Quartet