Fox’s 40-year jazz odyssey to be honoured at stadium gig
Titahi Bay jazz legend Rodger Fox’s four decades of jazz leadership is being honoured by the Wellington Jazz Club in a tribute concert on March 17.
Fox comes from a musical family – father Louis Fox was head of music at Mana College and formed what became the Porirua City Brass Band, while his mother Betty taught piano and performed with her husband.
Big band jazz music and Rodger Fox’s name are synonymous in New Zealand.
As a trombonist, big band leader, jazz educator, arranger and producer Rodger has promoted big band music since he set up his own ensemble in 1973.
Fox won New Zealand Jazz Recording of the Year in 1981, 2000, 2004 and 2009 and was a finalist in 1984, 2001 and 2008.
He was the first jazz musician to be awarded a Doctor of Music from Massey University.
‘‘This evening is a special occasion for the Wellington Jazz Club to honour Rodger Fox for his outstanding contribution to jazz in New Zealand,’’ says Wellington Jazz Club member Graham Kelly.
The gig is billed as ‘‘Kings of Swing – from Then to Now with Rodger Fox and Friends’’, featuring the music of Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Woody Herman, Duke Ellington, Artie Shaw and Buddy Rich.
The very best musicians and vocalists who have played with Rodger over the past 40 years will be performing with the big band including Brian Smith on sax, Mike Booth, trumpet, Midge Marsden, and vocalists Ray Woolf, David Feehan and Erna Ferry.
The concert is being held at the Wellington Regional Westpac Stadium, Level 4, from 5pm till 7.30pm, in a restaurant-cabaret style. Tickets are $27/$10 and can be booked online at www.eventfinder.co.nz or by contacting Graham Kelly on 234 8825.