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