Youngsters wanted to get into jazz

Young jazz musicians are needed to set up a youth jazz band in Matamata.

The new band is being spearheaded by local businessman Leo Kingston and his son Ben, 16.

The pair are on the lookout for those under-25 who are interested in getting involved in a youth jazz band.

Leo said the idea behind the idea to set up a youth band was the fact he wanted to celebrate the talented young musicians in Matamata and the surrounding area.

The band will need people who can play a brass or woodwind instrument like a saxophone or a trumpet. It will also need a drummer, a base player and vocalists.

Basically, Leo said, if you think you would have fun in a jazz band, you need to get in touch. Band practice will be held at least once a week.

He hoped there were other young people like his son that had a passion and talent with jazz music.

‘‘Hopefully they will be able to grow their skills but also grow the music and arts in Matamata for young people and families.’’

Leo feels Matamata would be quite receptive to a youth jazz band.

‘‘We’ve got a brass band and there’s a jazz band at the college.’’

But he said it would be great to have something outside of that, a social band that can play at different events around Matamata.

‘‘The image for me was sitting down on a Sunday afternoon on a summer’s day, listening to music and having a wine and catching up with friends.’’

Leo said it was neat to have his son interested in jazz like he is.

‘‘I play the guitar by ear but I’m not very good at it,’’ he said.

The pair used to jam a lot but Leo said Ben had got too good for him now, ‘‘so we don’t jam as much as we used to’’.

But he said it was still great to be involved in music together.

Leo felt it was important for musicians to be able to improvise.

‘‘I believe Ben’s got a natural talent. He has an ear for music and he can read music and he can improvise. That’s a pretty special talent for anyone to have,a pretty cool thing to do.’’

Ben, who plays keyboard and the tenor saxophone, said he hopes he will be able to share his skills with other young musicians in Matamata.

To register interest in the band, get in touch with Leo at Colourplus on 888 8119 or pop in to the store on Arawa St. Auditions may follow.