Life + Style - 10 June 2022

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life+style The Weekend Sun 21 2015 10August, June, 2022

Jazzing up June!

Tauranga Jazz Festival 2022

Tauranga Jazz Society president Jeff Baker says the team behind the Southern Hemisphere’s longest-running jazz festival – based right here in Tauranga City – is eager for the music to play.

Ali Harper

Geoff Culverwell

Catriona Fallon

Erna

Midge

Ferry

Marsden

This year the 59th Port of Tauranga National Jazz Festival is on June 19-26 – coinciding with New Zealand’s first official celebration of Matariki.

Held annually at Easter for 58 years, this is the first time The National Jazz Festival had to be postponed.

“This is an exciting alternative and we are eager to present a new dynamic to the Downtown Carnival,” says Jeff.

“Instead of outdoor stages on The Strand, we’re moving the action into the bars and cafes for a more intimate experience. We’re also delighted to include ‘Jazz at the Mount’ outdoors on Mount Mainstreet on Matariki Friday.”

Festival manager Marc Anderson says a whopping 175 performances are on from June 19-26. “There are many new acts and together with favourites from around New Zealand, it’s going to be a blast.”

“We are excited to have Port of Tauranga as our major sponsor and are grateful to Tauranga City Council, TECT and all our partners for their ongoing support,” says Marc.

Festival fun begins June 19 with the 44th National Youth Jazz Competition – the biggest yet – showcasing the best emerging jazz players from more than 30 secondary schools.

With 34 combos and 21 Big Bands competing,

500 students will make Baycourt Community & Arts Centre hum with jazz from June 19-21. Plus, an evening concert will feature competition judges themselves.

Baycourt Community & Art Centre will continue to hum – this time with world-class jazz-inspired music from June 22-25 as eight dynamic acts bring to life The National Jazz Festival Concert Series.

Jazz greats This year’s Concert Series is themed on International Jazz Greats – and includes legendary music icon Midge Marsden, making these shows the hottest tickets in town.

Starting June 22, Mandy Meadows and Chris Williamson will transport you to New York’s Carnegie Hall, where distinguished guitarist Joe Pass and Ella Fitzgerald first performed together – in their debut of ‘Ella & Joe’.

At 8pm that night, Midge Marsden will play Rhythm & Blues from his illustrious five-decade career offering a variety of much-loved and surprise pieces from his band’s repertoire.

‘The songs of Eva Cassidy’ will flow through Caitriona Fallon’s spine-tingling voice on June 23 at 6pm. The performance promises pin-drop moments with voice and piano, guitar solos to full-band, foottapping energy.

The Tauranga Big Band present their new show ‘Black & Gold’ with a world premiere composed

by Dr Ryan Blake titled ‘Te Pura - The Guardian Taniwha of Wairoa’ – incorporating jazz with powerful sounds of Taonga Puro that captures the

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Miho’s Jazz Orchestra

“There are many new acts and together with favourites from around New Zealand, it’s going to be a blast.”

mana and retells the story of Te Pura – the same night at 8pm.

And if you love Miles Davis and Chet Baker you’ll enjoy international artist Geoff Culverwell and band delivering their take of the duo’s tunes at 6pm June 23.

That night at 8pm the amazing Rodger Fox Big Band with Ms Erna Ferry and Mr Eugene Wolfin present ‘Frank meets Peggy’ – celebrating songs of ‘The Great American Songbook’ through the eyes of Frank Sinatra and Miss Peggy Lee. The Joe Kaptein Quartet will showcase emerging original jazz at its best from 6pm June 25. Winding up the series at 8pm that night is ‘The Look of Love’, with award-winning Ali Harper showcasing Burt Bacharach’s hit songs.

All over town The festival’s new Jazz Café & VIP Bar at The Tauranga Club on June 24-25, from 9pm-11.30pm is where festival-goers can relax to a fantastic jam session. Booking early to avoid disappointment!

For those still craving outdoor jazz action, ‘Jazz at the Mount’ on Matariki Friday, June 24, will have an outdoor stage at Porotakataka Park, Mount Maunganui’s urban space, for everyone to soak up live music from 10am-5pm. This new event is proudly sponsored by Mount Mainstreet.

Marc says no matter what the weather Gods serve on June 24 – all ‘Jazz at the Mount’ acts will go ahead. If it rains, the music will be dotted through Mount restaurants and bars “so no-one has to alter their jazz plans”.

Taking over Totara Street the same night is the

high-energy Hurricane Party, with quality ‘groovemeisters’ galore who are game to get everyone dancing the night away.

The night features Miho’s Jazz Orchestra, a dynamic jazz ensemble led by Japanese-born Kiwi Miho Wada on flute and saxophone, performing original music. Six-piece upbeat jazz-funk band Spiral Collective will sing original music-telling stories and uplifting messages. Then funky Big Tasty play, led by diminutive powerhouse frontwoman Manuela Ovalle Herrera.

Carnival time The Downtown Carnival on June 25-26 will this year draw people off the streets and into bars and restaurants along The Strand, Wharf St and Red Square. “This will be a throw-back to the way the Downtown Carnival used to be delivered – just for this year,” says Marc.

“The experience will be an intimate music scene indoors, reminiscent of much-loved European Jazz Festivals – there’s music for everyone to enjoy from jazz, swing, blues and funk!”

On June 25 the Vintage Car Parade joins the carnival, heading down The Strand at 11am with 50-plus vintage cars.

June 26 is the ‘Tea dance: Let the Band Play on Again’ at Tauranga Citizens Club from 5pm. This swinging evening of jazz and dancing is a chance to put your glad rags on and step it out in style!

The festival programme is at: www.jazz.org.nz.

So join in the fun and bring your family and friends along!

All Editorial: Merle Cave

Rodger Fox

Mandy Meadows

Tauranga Big Band

Joe Kaptein

National Youth Jazz Competition

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10August, June, 2022 life+style The Weekend Sun 21 2015

More talent than ever before!

Liam Ryan

Rising popularity of jazz among youth, a Covid rebound and extra time from the National Jazz Festival’s postponement means the 44th National Youth Jazz competition will be the biggest yet.

More than 500 students will descend on Baycourt Community & Art Centre from June 19-21 to showcase high quality, passionate music from New Zealand’s best young emerging jazz players.

That’s up from 400 students last year.

Competition manager Liam Ryan says this competition has students from more than 30 secondary schools competing. “We have 34 Combos and 21 Big Bands,” says Liam, who thinks late entries have brought a silver lining to the festival’s delay.

Liam believes three factors make this year so big. “First, is rebound from Covid – kids want to perform and schools want to get involved in community projects like this.”

Second, Liam has seen jazz grow in popularity and become resource-driven at schools.

“Jazz programmes are huge in schools now.

People who went to school 30 years ago – they wouldn’t believe the difference!

“There’s so much contemporary music and kids are fired up because they look at bands like LAB and know they’ve been to jazz school. There’s a genuine enthusiasm…kids are really buzzing on jazz at the moment – it really is a thing!”

The festival’s delay from Easter to June also gave schools more time to prepare. “In fact, the festival

now starts June 19 – instead of June 20 – as extra schools getting involved made the competition a three-day line-up.”

Year 9-13 students will perform in the prestigious event. As a result, big nerves show up on-stage and among music directors and families “because students take this competition very seriously”. “A number of youth jazz competitions are held in NZ but really Tauranga is one of the cradles – if not the cradle – of NZ youth jazz.

“Many competing will take on music careers.

Some do other things but always have music as a common thread throughout their lives. Others do a jazz degree and end up playing all over the world.”

Trophies – some 40 years old – have names like ‘Nathan Haines’ and ‘Hollie Smith’ etched on.

“Winners join a very elite club of alumni. The awards are taonga – very precious.”

As such, the quality of competition music is “stunning”. “I’ve been involved with jazz for 30-plus years and for me, it’s scary,” says Liam.

“Students are so articulate; they’ve got the history and the groove under their skin. Many have entered themselves and written original material.”

This year’s focus is on original and Kiwi compositions – meaning arrangements of Dave Dobbyn, Fat Freddy’s Drop and Benee songs “but performed in jazz style” – highlighting Liam’s passion to get kids performing and composing jazz.

The 44th National Youth Jazz Competition is on June 19- June 21. Tickets and information is at: www.nationalyouthjazz.org.nz

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Midge and his music

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Legend of the Concert Series

He’s a legendary Kiwi music icon who needs no introduction – but when it comes to performing the Port of Tauranga 59th National Jazz Festival’s Concert Series, Midge Marsden says the pleasure is all his.

“It’s a very prestigious festival – to get to perform as part of it is always an honour,” says Midge, who with his band of Chet O’Connell, Neil Hannan, Liam Ryan and Johnny Scott will play in the Concert Series at 8pm the first night, Wednesday June 22.

Eight dynamic performances will knock out inspired tunes themed around International Jazz Greats at Baycourt Community & Art Centre from June 22-25. The four-night series has two acts nightly, at 6pm and 8pm.

“It’s an iconic festival,” says Midge, who has played it a few times before. “It used to be just jazz; these days it’s jazz and blues.”

“We’ll do jazzy stuff and some Rhythm & Blues,” says Midge, whose career spans five decades, thousands of concerts and has introduced several generations of Kiwis to the music genres.

An early career-change and passion for R&B and roots music led a 16-year-old Midge to join 1960s band ‘Bari and the Breakaways’. By the end of the 60s Midge joined the NZBC working in radio, however music performance pulled him in again via Wellington cult band ‘The Country Flyers’ followed by several years in Australia with ‘The Phil Manning Band’.

Returning to NZ in the mid-1980s he went solo,

POTJ200389 Jazz Fest Print Ad HP 180x265 FA.indd 1

forming ‘The Midge Marsden Connection’ then ‘The Midge Marsden Band’. Several albums – including his ‘Gold’ selling album ‘Burning Rain’ in 1990 – and a loyal fan base later, Midge still loves connecting with his audiences.

Funnily enough he still sometimes gets nervous before performances. “You wouldn’t believe it… there’s a song you’ve been doing for 10 years and you go: ‘One, two, three, four… Oh, what’s the first line?!’ Luckily, Chet, my guitar player, can whisper it to me. I’m sure it does happen to other musicians to!”

Like all his shows, Midge says much thought and planning goes into creating a gig for the jazz festival. “We like to provide a variety of music. This time the wonderful Rodger Fox will join us for about five songs, so we’ve included songs they can feature, and mid-concert we’ll ease it down and do some semi-acoustic music.”

Midge always includes his much-loved hit songs, but also throws in a few surprises. “My biggest hit is ‘Burning Rain’; we do that. Then there’s a few we’ve re-arranged – like Route 66 – where we do a different version…so it’s variety-plus. We re-work some songs and add things – which give the audience a ‘wow’ moment.”

At Baycourt – “a great theatre to play in” – with a seated audience, Midge also works the crowd. “You have to entertain…I talk to an audience, explain songs and bring a bit of history into it.”

Some wonder if Midge will slow down, or retire.

“I’ve been talking about it the last few years…but right now you get excited about gigs like this.”

Find out more about the Concert Series line-up at: https://jazz.org.nz

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June, 2022 life+style The Weekend Sun 2110August, 2015

Jazz at the Mount & The Hurricane Party

Miho’s Jazz Orchestra

A new event showcasing live outdoors jazz in all its glory at Mount Maunganui – with a line-up of ‘groove-meister’ musicians – will make every body want to move this Matariki Friday, June 24.

Big Tasty

Spiral Collective

Big Tasty

Spiral Collective

The day-long free event – ‘Jazz at the Mount’ – has been added to this month’s 59th Port of Tauranga National Jazz Festival courtesy of Mount Mainstreet.

Mount Mainstreet’s Claudia West says the business association is excited about their new partnership with the Jazz Society, to bring some of the iconic flavour of the National Jazz Festival over to the Mount.

“We think it will be awesome to bring part of that jazz vibe to the Mount – so our businesses, locals and visitors can enjoy it here too.”

Claudia says if June 24 is fine the Mount will deliver a stunning backdrop to enjoy Matariki and the music. “We hope people will relish the jazz, stay longer and enjoy all the Mount has to offer.

“Obviously there’s always risk holding an outdoor event in June but we have a back-up plan to disperse the music into local hospitality venues if need be.”

From 9.30am-5pm musicians will take over Te Papa O Ngā Manu Porotakataka, playing music for everyone to enjoy. In the thick of it will be Japaneseborn Kiwi jazz artist Miho Wada performing with her band Miho’s Jazz Orchestra.

Miho – an upbeat, lively, colourful presence onstage that masterfully delivers delicious, twist-turning instrumental jazz that you get caught up in without realising it – is ready to jam.

“I love it – it’s probably my favourite jazz festival,” says Miho, whose MJO is a five-time returning National Jazz Festival band. “It’s so nice that people can walk past, hear music and be drawn into it – the whole festival has such a good vibe.”

MJO revels in playing feel-good jazz, offering grooving, surprising, playful, sophisticated, cheeky music – full of style, skill, instrumental prowess – with an addictive characteristic.

“I write all the music,” says Miho, who plays flute and saxophone. “I like to go back to the roots of how jazz started. It was popular tunes that everyone can sing to…but back then all the songs were so short, so they made instrumental versions so people could dance.”

“We’ll play mostly instrumental songs, we have a few songs with vocals – but mostly music people can move their whole bodies to. It’s about feeling good, moving and putting smiles on faces.”

MJO will also play at the Hurricane Party at Totara Street that night, June 24. Doors open 8pm. This year’s party is back in full swing with quality ‘groovemeisters’ to get everyone dancing!

Also performing is six-piece upbeat jazz-funk band, Spiral Collective, offering original music-telling stories and uplifting messages.

And funky, ‘never fail to get people dancing’ Big Tasty – led by diminutive powerhouse frontwoman Manuela Ovalle Herrera backed by a full horn section.

Whether you want to move to the groove during the day or night – hit the Mount to devour the jazz this Matariki, Friday June 24.

You won’t regret it!

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Back to its roots Downtown Carnival goes back indoors!

For this year only – the upcoming 59th Port of Tauranga National Jazz Festival’s two-day Downtown Carnival on June 25-26 is returning to its roots.

Instead of being staged outdoors, the Downtown Carnival is back inside the bars and restaurants along The Strand, Wharf Street and Red Square – a throw-back to the way it used to be.

Festival organiser Marc Anderson says this year’s festival in June – delayed from Easter due to the pandemic – offers an exciting alternative to what anyone has experienced at the Jazz Festival Tauranga in recent years.

“We’re moving the action into bars, cafes and hospitality venues around the city, bringing a new dynamic to the Downtown Carnival.

“Thanks to the willingness of musicians and venues to make themselves available for Matariki weekend, we have a fantastic selection of events lined up, with 85 performances on offer during the two-day carnival.”

This year carnival music – in venues around the CBD – will swirl onto footpaths and pull people from the cool air into warm, lively, mood-filled scenes of jazz!

“You’ll experience an intimate music scene indoors, reminiscent of the much-loved European Jazz Festivals. There will be music for everyone to enjoy from jazz, swing, blues and funk at a massive number of venues.”

For carnival-goers the fun begins 11am Saturday, June 25, when the Vintage Car Parade heads down The Strand. Live indoors music begins 12pm. Those

wanting to stay on after the Downtown Carnival finishes at 6pm can make a night of it by dining in downtown bars and restaurants.

On Sunday, June 26, the carnival begins with The Little Big Markets’ jazz festival market from 10am2pm in Masonic Park, The Strand. Sunday’s live indoors music in CBD venues plays from 12pm-6pm.

Japanese-born Kiwi jazz artist Miho Wada, who will perform at the Downtown Carnival both days with her band Miho’s Jazz Orchestra, says having bars right next to each other playing jazz and blues along the street will be like a day in New Orleans.

“I studied traditional jazz there – this festival is quite similar. This time, being in winter, it might feel a bit different but it’s still going to showcase that warm feeling that jazz music brings.”

Kokomo frontman Derek Jacombs – who helped rebuild the festival from tough times in the late1990s – thinks the music being in venues back then made it more personal. “Bars and crowds got up close and intimate with the musicians, we were all in it together,” says Derek.

“There’s nothing quite like the feel of an up-close show – we love playing like that. Your audience is not on the other side of some barrier, they’re right there with you and it’s a communal experience you share. Bring on Matariki!”

Tauranga Jazz Society president Jeff Baker says this year’s festival will show the real depth of great musicianship in Aotearoa during New Zealand’s first Matariki public holiday weekend. “We’re delighted to showcase the best of NZ talent and, as last year proved, the acts are of an international standard.”

Kokomo

The Holy Pocket Band

Desota

Nairobi Trio

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life+style The Weekend Sun 21 August, 2015

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