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 and GALLERY for weekly concert photos.

($10 members/$25 non-members - cash only - includes raffle draw for bottle of wine.)

Non-member contact registration required at time of entry.

Restaurant (downstairs) open 5 - 8.30pm. Full bar services.


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

Ben Wilcox and the Jelly Rolls

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

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



 

Earlier Event: November 21
Lauren Nottingham and Mark Donion
Later Event: December 5
Award Winning College Jazz Bands