Jazz musicians heading to Pataka
The Wellington Jazz Festival is no longer confined to concert venues in the city.
A team of musicians will be performing at Wellington Airport, Pataka, Masterton Town Hall, Te Takere in Levin, and Lower Hutt’s Dowse Theatre.
The Jazz on the Road tour will demonstrate the diversity of the 100 festival events springing up across the city from June 3.
Wellington City Council, the United States embassy, Infinity Foundation, the Polish embassy, and the New Zealand Community Trust are supporting the festival.
The big names include Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen, French saxophonist Celine Bonacina, and Dutchman Reinier Baas and the More Socially Relevant Jazz Music Ensemble.
Other highlights of the festival will include the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band, The Eggs, Wellington trombonist Rodger Fox, Nick Granville, Nigel Patterson, Reuben Bradley and Alda Rezende.
The Winter Warmer jazz market will entertain Cuba St pedestrians on June 6 from 5pm, with food stalls and the sounds of Wellington City Shake ‘ Em on Downers, Coco Favre & The Moonlight Magic, Le Pompier Rouge, and the New Zealand School of Music Band.
Jazz- inspired movies will screen at Light House Cinema, and more than 30 bars and restaurants will take part in the festival.
Venues include The Southern Cross, Rogue and Vagabond, Hashigo Zake, The Lido, The Green Man, Hotel Bristol, Basque, Havana, The Matterhorn and Meow.
St Peter’s on Willis will host a free concert series plus its regular jazz service, as well as hosting the Steve Barry Trio.
City Gallery Wellington will host a jazz-flavoured late night on June 4 from 5pm.
The New Zealand School of Music will also take part, hosting jazz students for master classes, workshops, and the Jazz Jazz Jazz Showcase.
Wellington Jazz Festival artistic director Shelagh Magadza has invited everyone to get on board the five-day music celebration from June 3 to 7.