And it all ends with a flourish ...

What a weekend. Fifty years ago, it started out as something casual, almost between friends. This Easter, it took over the paradise by the sea that is Tauranga, and transformed New Zealand's fifth largest city into a thriving hub of jazz. Yes, the 50th National Jazz Festival, held for the fiftieth time in Tauranga, was a roaring success.

Yesterday I headed to the Jazz Village, which was a takeover of the Historic Village on 17th Ave West (down the hill, by the hospital carpark) and featured a variety of performances in a French and New Orleans-inspired setting. This really showcased the array of performance spaces hidden in this rabbit warren of a complex, amongst a great number of community-based stalls and shops. This was certainly the ideal family day out.

The festival came to it's close last night, though, in the place that has been most used this weekend, Baycourt. The Bay of Plenty Times Festival Hall, ordinarily known as Baycourt's Centennial Hall, filled up completely for "Blame it on the Bossa Nova," a performance dominated by the swinging sixties' genre originating from Brazil, by popular Auckland group The Beat Girls accompanied by the Lounge Lizards. The Beat Girls came with great recommendation from my boss, who had seen them play at the Radio Awards a few years earlier (apparently they are favourite bookings for such swanky Auckland events, and it isn't hard to see why.) This was a class act, and with the style of choice being something that wasn't really seen anywhere else at the festival in the bossa nova, it was a real treat of a clean and concise performance to end the long weekend, and indeed the festival, on. I can vouch for the rest of the crowd in saying that everyone in that theatre loved every minute of it.

But that last swinging beat last night unfortunately signalled the end of the festival. From the old-time boogie beats of Jan Preston, to the incredible disco-style funk that took over the Domain with Earth, Wind and Fire, and everything in between, it was one heck of a weekend. I talked to quite a few people I know out of town over the weekend who had made the decision not to come, and I told every single one of them this: if you weren't in Tauranga over Easter weekend, you were missing out.

And now we're hanging out for the 51st festival next year! Arne, festival director, gave his personal guarantee after the show last night that it will be a happening thing, and I can give my personal guarantee now that I will be there. I'm already foaming at the mouth (metaphorically!) So huge thanks to Arne and his team for everything they put into the festival. To all the volunteers, who gave up countless hours to make it a success. To the performers, of course, without whom it wouldn't be jazz, and to everyone who attended, who really put the festival into the jazz festival.

So that's me for now. I hope to be seeing all of you around town this time next year, for the 51st National Jazz Festival!

Until then, stay classy, and very, very jazzy!
- Josh.

Earth, Wind, Fire, and a whole lot of fantastic

Easter Sunday. The shops were closed, but boy was the jazz all on! Downtown Tauranga is a dying place on the best of weekdays, but yesterday showed that it is still a place that can absolutely go off when it needs to - the place was humming. The Strand and Red Square were sardine cans full of jazz fans, and I've never seen so many people across the tracks on the waterfront. It was a true festival atmosphere there yesterday.

The Tauranga Big Band performed their "Then and Now" show in the Bay of Plenty Times Festival Hall (Baycourt) yesterday afternoon, and with a decent crowd in the theatre, it was a treat to see the Big Band of today perform with some of yesterday's band members, with arrangements spanning the entire history of the band (which in fact pre-dates the jazz festival itself!) This performance truly brought the Tauranga to the Tauranga National Jazz Festival.

And of course, the big Birthday Bash featuring Earth, Wind and Fire with Keb Mo and Patti Austin happened last night at Wharepai Domain. The Chapel Street end of the domain was transformed into an amazing outdoor performance space, with a temporary stage dominating the place, and a massive crowd making best use of their picnic blankets in front of them. The slow, soulful tunes of Patti Austin started the night with a swing, and provided great entertainment during that first 'phase' of a concert. You know, that part when everybody has arrived, and is finding their friends, staking their claim on a prime piece of picnic blanket real estate, and making first trips to the bar and the port-a-loos. After that, Keb Mo's set satisfied the cravings of both jazz and blues fans, with his incredible stage presence and fusion styles providing a great soundtrack to a setting sun.

Then, the big one. It was their first time in New Zealand, and if after last night they're not regretting waiting forty-one years to visit these shores, then I don't know what will. The crowd went absolutely bananas, with every single person who was capable of doing so up on their feet. If they could dance, they were dancing, and if they couldn't dance, they were making every effort to do so. Whether you describe their music as soul, jazz, disco, R&B, funk, or whatever, there wasn't a person there who wasn't loving every minute of it. "September," "Gotta Get You Into My Life," and "Boogie Wonderland" were all favourites, but their whole set was a treat for all the senses. These guys really knew how to put on a show.

Today is the LAST day of the 50th National Jazz Festival, but it's ending with a bang, not a fizz! Here's what you need to check out today:

• The Jazz Village on 17th Ave is perfect if you want to check out some French and New Orleans-inspired jazz, and wander through a great village atmosphere. This is the perfect place to take the family.
• The Beat Girls will be presenting "Blame it on the Bossa Nova." My boss last night informed me that I am in for a treat with these girls, and by all accounts he'll be correct. Swanky, swinging and sensationally sixties is apparently what we're in for. It's at the Festival Hall at Baycourt, at 7pm.

Here are a few photos I managed to get last night (when I wasn't dancing!) Have an incredible end to the long weekend and the jazz festival today - I'll be back tomorrow with my final blog entry for the 50th National Jazz Festival.

Happy Easter Monday!

- Josh.

Jazz all day, jazz all night

I'm writing this at 10:30 on Easter Sunday morning. Why? Because between pulling up the driveway from the Lizard Kings at about midnight last night, and being fast asleep in bed was about all of 47 seconds. What a brilliant yet exhausting Saturday of Jazz! I suppose I should start this update by saying Happy Easter!

My day yesterday began by seeing the extent of the downtown Jazz carnival at 5:30 yesterday morning. I worked the breakfast shift at More FM but ended up having to park down the other end of Dive Crescent - it was that organised, that early in the morning! Naturally after work I went down to check out the carnival and I didn't leave for a long time! Some great music spread across multiple performance spaces, right throughout the CBD. The family area in Grey Street was a hit with the kids, a highlight being the living statue on a motorbike. A very clever performance and not something you'd see in this country very often! My personal favourite was the collection of classic and vintage cars around Willow Street and Red Square - with some "family" vehicles being as big as today's Te Puke bus!

Later on in the evening, it was time to see renowned German sax player, the 76 year-old Klaus Doldinger and his band "Passport" in the Bay of Plenty Times Festival Hall, and what a performance it was. Playing his arrangements from the beginning of Passport in 1971, and some of his earlier work, right through to some of the incredible pieces from 2006's Passport to Morocco. Most of the people I know in their 70's have trouble blowing up a balloon, but the way Klaus plays his saxophone and dances around the stage, clearly age is no barrier to him. He's playing with Passport at the Jazz and Blues festival in Christchurch, and then in Wellington in the coming weeks, and if you get the chance to catch this, I would highly recommend it.

Later on, also in the Festival Hall, the Lizard Kings performed their tribute to The Doors and Jim Morrison. I'd never seen or heard of the Lizard Kings before this, but what a show these guys can put on. This kind of music brought in a different crowd than the other Jazz Festival events, and let's just say there was a lot of bourbon consumed as opposed to the Marlborough sav, but the different kind of energy this crowd brought, along with the smokiness of the theatre thanks to the fog machines, turned the theatre into a bit of a rock palace for a few hours. All the great singles were performed - "Break on Through," "Light My Fire," and a great visual performance accompanied "The Unknown Soldier." Credit goes to the Baycourt staff who allowed the somewhat inebriated dancing that naturally accompanies a gig like this to happen anywhere that wasn't either a) the stage, or b) blocking somebody's view. They even let the pair who decided to go up on stage and show the rest of us just how brilliantly they can dance go on for a few minutes before politely letting them know that the stage is generally for the band.

So Easter Saturday was a ripper. Easter Sunday today is set to be even better:

• It's the last day of the Downtown Carnival today, from noon til 5pm. This event is free, and whether you spend half an hour or a whole day wandering around, I highly recommend it!
• The Jazz Village begins today at 17th Ave, from 10am til 5pm. For great French and New Orleans-inspired Jazz in a unique village setting, this is the place to be.
• The Sebel Trinity Wharf Jazz Riverboat also ends today, departing at 2pm, 4pm and 6pm from The Sebel, and the weather is looking perfect for it!
• At 3pm, Jubilation brings passionate and soulful jazz and gospel song to the Holy Trinity.
• Also at 3pm, Tauranga Big Band present "Then and Now" at Baycourt. This jazz band has just kept on going since 1958, and if you enjoy big band stuff, this is for you!
• And the big Birthday Bash at 5pm, it's Earth, Wind and Fire with Keb Mo and Patti Austin at the Chapel Street end of the domain. You MUST be at this one - it's their first time in New Zealand, and I can guarantee you'll be singing and dancing by the end of the night.

That's it from me for today - have a jazzy Easter! Here's a couple of photos from the carnival yesterday (apologies for the quality. My camera was out of battery so I had to resort to my phone.)

- Josh

Not Good Friday, but a great Friday!

No matter where you are, today was Good Friday. Unless of course you were in Tauranga at the 50th National Jazz Festival, in which case it was a great Friday as well!

I'll start tonight by offering my apologies. It turns that as usual, technology is never to be trusted, and the downloadable programme at jazz.org.nz has been somewhat misleading. I've been referring to the programme for the details on upcoming events, so if I've misled you as to the date or location of any events, I do apologise. If it's any consolation, I turned up to the wrong venue for Kurt Elling this evening! I picked up a copy of the Daily Guide at Baycourt this afternoon which seems to have all the correct details, so far!

Today I was lucky enough to catch the Jan Preston Trio with "Beat out the Boogie" at the University of Waikato Jazz Club, a clever transformation of Baycourt's exhibition space into an intimate club setting, with the crowd seated around tables. Jan's instrument of choice is the piano, and has even been called the Queen of the Piano in Australasia. Hailing from Greymouth but resident in Sydney now, Jan is fanatical about boogie woogie and ragtime, and the intimate space is the perfect compliment to Jan's style as she connected with her audience in an amazingly unique way. An audience favourite was the boogie translation of Flight of the Bumblebee. Accompanied by her husband, Michael Maass, and Nigel Masters on bass (locally of Kokomo fame,) this was one afternoon full of energy and laughter, and some great music too!

Tonight, Rodger Fox's Wellington Jazz Orchestra wowed a near-full Bay of Plenty Times Festival Hall (otherwise known as the Centennial Hall at Baycourt) with their internationally-renowned big-band jazz. The first half featured guest sax player Eric Marienthal, who has also played with the liked of BB King and Elton John, and his unique and very explosive style captivated the crowd. After the break, Grammy-award winning singer Kurt Elling made himself known on stage, starting with an extended scatty warm-up and really showing the breadth of his vocal abilities. The crowd at Baycourt certainly left understanding why he has won "Male Vocalist of the Year" 12 years in a row, and his American sass that came with it made for a great end to a great Friday.

Tomorrow (and I give you a 99% guarantee that these are correct) is set to be another great one, with these events on:

• The Youth Jazz Competition from 9am-4pm, at the Bay of Plenty Times Festival Hall (Baycourt)
• The Strand and surrounds will come alive with the Downtown Tauranga Carnival from noon til 6pm
• Departing from The Sebel Trinity Wharf on Dive Cres at 2pm, 4pm and 6pm is the Jazz Riverboat
• The best in Jazz will be in one room at 6.45pm with the Jazz Tui Awards, in the University of Waikato Jazz Club (Baycourt)
• German sax legend Klaus Doldinger performs Passport in the Festival Hall at 7pm, followed the Lizard King's Trubute to The Doors, Light My Fire at 9pm

So far the festival has been yet another roaring success, and there's still 3 days to go! Hope to see you around tomorrow.

Josh

Thursday in the thick of it ...

It all started tonight really - the 50th National Jazz Festival! Proceedings kicked off with the "History of Jazz ... According to Tauranga" Gala Concert in the Festival Hall at Baycourt, and from what I hear that was quite a performance! With inspiration from the five decades of the festival's existence, every one of them right here in Tauranga, this really was a great way to launch what is set to be a buzzing weekend! Also tonight, the Tauranga All Stars apparently really rocked the University of Waikato Jazz Club. After their success in the Jazz for Christchurch concert last year, renowned local acts Kokomo and Torch Songs banded together once again, along with some other special guests, and really showed that any act from around these shores is just as capable of wowing the crowds as any world-class act.

Tomorrow is Good Friday. So there'll be no ads on TV or radio, most shops will be closed, and chances are, you've got the day off! (Or you're being suitably remunerated for working a public holiday.) Accordingly, it's the first full day of the festival, with some exciting events coming up! Here's the lineup:

• The National Youth Jazz Competition will be on 9am-4pm at the Bay of Plenty Times Festival Hall, Baycourt.
• The Downtown Tauranga Carnival kicks off tomorrow around the downtown area and the Strand, with plenty of free entertainment amongst a street-party atmosphere.
• Head out on the Sebel Trinity Wharf Jazz Riverboat and enjoy live music and entertainment on the harbour. It departs from the Sebel Trinity Wharf, Dive Crescent at 2pm, 4pm and 6pm.
• The Jan Preston Trio looks set to delight at the University of Waikato Jazz Club, Baycourt from 4pm, followed by Adam Page at 7pm.
• International sensation Kurt Elling will be making the most of the amazing performance space at Holy Trinity on Devonport Road.

For all the information you need on any of these events, see jazz.org.nz. I'll be back tomorrow night with an update on the festival, but until then, stay jazzy!

Josh.

The History of Jazz ... According to Tauranga

I know I promised to do this last night, but as tends to happen, technology failed me right when I needed it! But here I am, fresh from this brilliant exhibition at Creative Tauranga, with high recommendation that you go take a look!

The exhibition itself isn't huge, nor is it overwhelming. It's a great chronological display of the history of the Jazz Festival here in Tauranga, set around the compact wee exhibition space that Creative Tauranga provides, along with a great video presentation and some really neat mementos of past festivals around the place (including programmes from every previous festival - a great study into graphic design of the time, as well as the budget constraints that clearly plagued the odd year of the festival as the programme was typewritten). There's also a very cool reading space, made up of what seems to be a formica veneer coffee table and some retro living room chairs, of the kind that you'd expect to find in any self-respecting Waihi Beach bach these days!

As for the history of the festival, it's really an eye-opener! From humble beginnings, with a screening of "Jazz on a Summer's Day" at the Regent Theatre, the festival has gone from strength to strength, and despite making the odd loss or suffering setbacks every now and again, it hasn't missed a beat since 1963 - something few annual events in this country can testify! The variety of venues the festival has been held at was astounding - from the old Town Hall (such a grand old building; the modern Civic building in its place now pales in comparison,) to the Racecourse, to a stint in the nineties at the Trust Hotel in Bureta Park! The kind of attention the festival has gotten from the global jazz community over the years is also something else, especially for a town like Tauranga. This exhibition is a must for all festivalgoers!

I've included a few photos below to give you an idea of what it's like down there. This isn't something you need to make a huge commitment to, either. If you're pressed for time, you could easily accommodate it within a half-hour lunchbreak, or if you've got more time then there's plenty to see and make the most of it!

The exhibition is on at Creative Tauranga on the corner of Willow and Wharf, just across from the Art Gallery, and it's on til the 17th of April. Seriously - it's an eye opener!

Hello, Jazz!

I'm new. In every way possible. I'm new to Tauranga, I'm new to blogging, compared to some of you I'm relatively new to this world, and I'm new to Jazz. But this morning, when I was handed at the last minute the baton of Jazz Festival blogging, I got excited. Here's a chance to not only discover the world of jazz for myself, but to share that experience, and that's what I'm starting tonight. So, hello jazz world!

I'm excited for the soulful funk of Earth, Wind and Fire - and what better festival for them to play their first EVER kiwi gig at, than the 50th National Jazz Festival? But it's not all about the big gig - the Lizard Kings' look set to 'play tribute' to the Doors, the Tauranga All Stars will no doubt bring down the roof of the University of Waikato Jazz Club, and the Jazz Village and Downtown Carnival looks full of variety! Tauranga is certainly the place to be this long weekend.

If you'll excuse the pun, the only thing that could possibly put any dampener on the weekend is this weather bomb (the third in four weeks!) rolling on down from Fiji. I've got my fingers and toes crossed, and I'm praying to the weather gods, practising ancient rain dances and doing everything I can to try and prevent it. Though I'm sure a little rain won't dampen the spirits of festivalgoers!

Right - that's all from me for today. I'll be charging up my camera overnight and checking out the "History of jazz ... according to Tauranga" exhibition tomorrow at Creative Tauranga on the corner of Willow and Wharf downtown. Consider this my study into the genre and history of the festival before the festivities kick off later this week! It comes with great recommendation so I'll be sure to update you tomorrow night, hopefully with pictures!

And until then, to steal a line from famous yet fictional lover of jazz, Ron Burgundy, you stay classy, Tauranga!

Hei kona mai me te aroha,
Josh - your new Jazz festival blogger

A Hurricane is Blowing into Town

Last year I was fortunate enough to go to the Hurricane Party in a hangar at Classic Flyers. Trombone Shorty who I had come to love (after learning of his duet with my number 1, Lenny Kravitz), was headlining. It turned out to be a pretty wicked night when I danced the night away right in front of centre stage. I’m pretty excited that I get to go again.

It won’t by any means be de ja vu, because this Hurricane Party will feature some of NZ’s quintessential talent that we are proud to call our own. I’m looking forward to a not so sneaky dance to the beat of Batucada Sound Machine. They’re the kind of multi-piece band that you want as a permanent feature in your backyard, so you can selfishly press play while you indulge in a few ciders in the summer heat.

Joining them will be The Eggs, Adam Page & Riki Gooch and Spiral. These names may not be familiar on their own, but I can tell you that they are important pieces to the puzzle of great Kiwi music; including Trinity Roots, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Crowded House, The Phoenix Foundation, Tahuna Breaks and dDub… just to name a few. Name dropper I know, but I’m sure I have your complete attention now and don’t have to tell you twice that The Hurricane Party will blow you away. And you get to party with these guys out in town on Good Friday!

For a late night fling with the dance floor and some of Aotearoa’s finest music, come down to The Hurricane Party on Good Friday, 10pm at The Bahama Hut. Tickets at www.ticketdirect.co.nz

Hello Kurt Elling

As you probably are aware by now, I’m all for a bit of jazz. Not the kind that jumped into bed with popular 80’s exercise and made a jazzercise baby; but the type that forces you to stop what you’re doing… or helps you melt into the couch a little bit more with a good book. Well if that’s your cup of tea in Grandma’s floral China set with a slice of cake, then this is a sweet treat.

Another Grammy Award winning virtuoso is performing right here in Tauranga for the National Jazz Festival. Regarded as a favourite jazz male vocalist by many worldwide and revered by The New York Times as “The standout male vocalist of our time”, Elling is setting foot on stage in New Zealand for the very first time.

I listened to ‘Nature Boy ‘, closed my eyes and woke up on a red velvet chaise with martini in hand and telling clever jokes. Those who know me know that my jokes are never clever. So for a musician to make me appear classy in my imagination is something quite special.

Mr Elling is performing with world renowned saxist* Eric Marienthal who has played with the legendary Elton John & BB King and the illustrious Wellington Jazz Orchestra. It really would be a shame to miss this bit of aural pleasure.  

If you’d like to flirt with a bit of Kurt, he is performing on Friday 6^th April, 8pm at Festival Hall – Baycourt, Tauranga. Tickets available from www.ticketdirect.co.nz

                                                                                                                                              

*My bid for a better term than ‘saxophone player’

You’re Personally Invited to a Once in a Lifetime Event

Think of the best birthday party you’ve ever had and the thing that made it absolutely stand out. Now let’s say you’re the National Jazz Festival in Tauranga. What would magnify your 50^th birthday celebration and make it beyond amazing? Well, I guess you could say ‘by having Earth Wind & Fire come and perform at the Domain’, of course. But let’s not leave it at just that… let’s have multi-Grammy award winning Keb Mo as icing on the cake and chart-topping Patty Austin as the cherry perfectly placed on top.

When I first heard Earth Wind & Fire were coming to Tauranga for their first concert ever, I was gob-smacked to say the least. These smooth cats have provided many a dance soundtrack to my super 70’s style groovin’ in Boogie Wonderland, Wellington. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, youtube them and I can guarantee that you’ll start bopping your head to the familiar dance tunes and in actual agreement that you really do know who they are. While you’re there, google some pictures of them and let your jaw drop at their classic superstar outfits that can only really be vacuumed sealed on.  And if you’re still umming and arrring, Earth Wind & Fire have sold 90 million albums, 50 Gold and Platinum and seven Top Ten US singles.

Then there’s the illustrious Keb Mo. Even his name sounds like he’s got it going on. A blues maestro from the Deep South of the U.S.A., with an amazing talent to behold. Just listening to him strum and sing sends shivers up my spine. He’s an artist with sell-out concerts across the globe and has acquired esteemed music accolades along the way.  This is nothing to ignore, when it’s in our own backyard.

And Patti Austin who began performing at the Apollo Theatre at the tender age 4, and has gone on to sing with legendary Michael Jackson, George Benson and Luther Vandross. Her voice is divine, liquid velvet.

So witnessing this live is more than an opportunity begging to taken advantage of and worth celebrating.  Come and join me at the National Jazz Festival’s Birthday Bash. I’ll be the one that can’t stop grinning and dancing (it’s a special talent, reserved for amazing occasions).

Earth, Wind & Fire, Keb Mo and Patti Austin perform live in concert at the Tauranga Domain on Sunday 8^th April, from 5pm – 10pm. Tickets available at www.ticketdirect.co.nz

A Very Jazzy Affair

I began my love affair with jazz over a year ago. I’d come across a Miles Davis album and unexpectedly pressed play. Now that was one of my supremely great ideas, as I had completely lost myself (in a good way, not a driving down the wrong street in a foreign city kind of way).  My eyes widened to the prospect of wanting more; including visiting the New Orleans Jazz Fest. One day that will be checked off the list, but in the meantime I think it’s safe to say that we are sufficiently lucky to have an annual National Jazz Festival of such high calibre on our backdoor in the paradise that we casually call ‘home’.

To also note that this will be 50 years of jazzy festival history in Tauranga is phenomenal. That’s like when you admire your grandparents for their golden wedding anniversary, as they continue to hold hands and still smile at each other.  And to think it began ‘with a 50 pound overdraft at the Soundshell in Memorial Park’ to now being the longest running National Jazz Festival in the Southern Hemisphere, is a much respected feat in itself.

The photographs of yesteryear speak volumes in the Jazz Fest booklet. From musos with mutton chops, to shaggy ‘fros, stubbie dressed trumpeters, to cigarette dangling banjo players, renders what I would deem an eclectic mix of artistes throughout those 50 years. And just a teeny bit amusing to look at.

To be given the opportunity to be part of this accomplishment is not only reserved for myself as festival blogger, performers and those who do all the ground work behind the scenes; but also for you who has the chance to tick off a Bucket List worthy experience. I’m ready to lose myself in an Easter weekend moment or two with local legends and international greats.

  

The 50^th National Jazz Festival is on 5-9 April in beautiful Tauranga. Kick start this with a visual feast at the anniversary exhibition. 30 March – 10 April at Creative Tauranga, corner Wharf & Willow Streets. And it’s FREE!

Hi everyone,

With the BIG 50 coming up in only 3 weeks, we thought we'd invite the princess of the words, Nickie Jean, to start our very own Jazz Festival blog. Watch this space and follow Nickie's journey through the lead-up and during the festival. I am just as curious as you are about what we might read on this page. ENJOY!

Arne Herrmann (Festival Director)