Jazz Fest

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February 12, 2022 by Simon Sweetman

Stubs: # 289 – Nathan Haines, Wellington, 2021

A special gig, for many reasons. I guess, first up, this was last year’s Jazz Festival – no international headliners (as has normally been the case) and reorganised for a different time from its original scheduling, as has been the way for arts events across the last two years now. Most get cancelled but only […]

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June 11, 2020 by Simon Sweetman

Stubs: # 256 – Chucho Valdés & The Afro-Cuban Messengers , Wellington, 2013

So many gigs. I try to remember them all. And I do remember Chucho Valdés – after all it was very, very good. The Jazz Festival has done a mostly brilliant job since around 2012/13 of bringing in 3-4 international headliners doing big showcase gigs and then the small and local shows that light up […]

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June 11, 2019 by Simon Sweetman

Gig Review: Simon O’Neill & Rodger Fox (June 9, 2019)

Simon O’Neill & Rodger Fox MFC, Wellington (3pm) Sunday, June 9 Every year, in the Sunday 3pm slot at the Jazz Festival, Rodger Fox (and his Big Band) offers up an innovative collaboration. We’ve had Rodger and band with classical pianist Michael Houstoun – they even made a record together as a result. We’ve had Fox reuniting […]

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June 11, 2018 by Simon Sweetman

Gig Review: Chris Dave & The Drumhedz (June 10, Wgtn)

Chris Dave & The Drumhedz Opera House, Wellington (7pm) Sunday, June 10 Chris “Daddy” Dave and his Drumhedz closed out the Wellington Jazz Festival’s main events for 2018. And it was a celebration – at least for the most part.

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June 10, 2018 by Simon Sweetman

Gig Review: John Beasley’s MONK’estra (June 9, Wgtn)

John Beasley’s MONK’estra Opera House, Wellington (8pm) Saturday, June 9 John Beasley’s MONK’estra is a big band dedicated to playing the music of pianist/composer Thelonious Monk and for this performance the core of the America group was augmented by some local players including Rodger Fox and members from his jazz orchestra.

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April 11, 2016 by Simon Sweetman

Wellington Jazz Festival: 8-12 June 2016

Following the earlier announcement of headliners, The Wayne Shorter Quartet, the Wellington Jazz Festival’s full line-up for 2016 has now been revealed. Further headliners include vocalist Karrin Allyson with the Tom Warrington Trio and NZSM Big Band, the father of Ethiopian jazz – Mulatu Astatke with Black Jesus Experience, the dynamic Snarky Puppy and one […]

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March 15, 2016 by Simon Sweetman

Wellington Jazz Festival 2016: First Announcement – Wayne Shorter Quartet (June 8)

During the New Zealand Festival we get a clue about the upcoming Jazz Festival. This year the news is that Wayne Shorter (and his quartet, featuring the incredible Brian Blade) will be performing at Wellington’s Opera House on June 8. Shorter, Blade, John Patitucci and Danilo Perez will put on an incredible show, Shorter, 82, […]