Musical line-ups make great prelude to Womad
It looks like we are finally getting some proper summer weather, so we can get all hot and sticky at work, but at least it looks hopeful for another beautiful Womad weekend, Friday March 17 - Sunday 19. As usual it’s an exciting line-up with the fabulous, colourful ambience we have come to expect, a little island of world peace in a sea of generally pessimistic outlook. Leading up to that, there are some great local events.
The re-born Ritz Big Band is coming to the Taranaki Jazz Club this Sunday March 5, on the heels of a popular appearance at the Festival of the Lights. Originally founded in 2004 by Robin Wells and Stewart Maunder, this local group disbanded following the death in 2011 of lead trumpeter Warren Orr and younger members moving away. Losing Warren left a huge gap in the local music scene, and many of us remember him fondly and think of him often. A great teacher of young musicians, I’m sure he would be delighted that the band has reformed with the four original members and 14 new players, including jazz vocalists Mike Gordon and Unity Wara. The line-up includes the traditional saxophones, trumpets, trombones, bass guitar, guitar, drums and piano.
The programme will feature many favourites including music from Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and Count Basie, with vocal numbers such as Only a Paper Moon, Orange Coloured Sky and Moondance. Doors open at The Mayfair at 4pm for a 4.30pm start. Adults $25, Jazz Club members $15, students $4.
Ukulele enthusiasts get your instruments out and come on down to the 4th Wall Theatre on Wednesday, March 8 for a preshow warm-up to The Nukes. This Auckland trio, who have appeared at Womad and the Spiegeltent in the Taranaki Arts Festival, claim to be part vaudeville, part rat-pack, part musical car-crash, delivering an engaging mix of humour and originality. They have a growing reputation for reckless and riveting live performances where ‘‘a fine blend of folk, bluegrass, reggae and post punk is caressed, coaxed and beaten out of three innocent wee ukuleles’’. See them at 7.30pm 4th Wall Theatre. Book at 4th Wall. $25.
Christopher Luke’s organ recital series continues with presentations at St Joseph’s Catholic Church on Tuesday, March 7 at 1pm and at Taranaki Interim Cathedral on Thursday, March 16at 12.15pm.
Three tenors appear with soprano Susan Boland in Operatunity’s That’s Amore on Friday March 17 at 11.00am at CityWestChurch. Derek Hill is well-known to New Plymouth audiences, having most recently sung in The Messiah with Ars Nova Choir last November. Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua and Kalauni Pouvalu also have impressive lists of awards on their CVs. Tickets are $34 and include lunch. To book call 0508 266 237 or go to www.operatunity.co.nz.
Don’t Forget: Tonight (March 1) Trans Tasman Brothers in Song Taranaki Male Choir with the Wagga City Rugby Male Choir 7.30 pm New Plymouth Club.