Jazz musicians return with orchestra
Locally-raised jazz musicians Zane Berguis and Louisa Williamson return to Taupo on Wednesday to play up a storm with the New Zealand Youth Jazz Orchestra.
The 20 person ensemble of brass, wind and percussion players is on a tour of the lower North Island. Big band educator and trombonist Dr Rodger Fox and Dr Dave Lisik are directing the tour.
Berguis, a trombonist, has been studying music at Victoria University in Wellington since finishing high school at Tauhara College last year.
He said the university’s school of music was a great place to be for young jazz musicians.
‘‘We talk about the jazz idiom as if it’s a language – we have to learn the phrases and inflections as if it’s a language,’’ he said.
‘‘Part of the decision to move was about getting surrounded by the jazz language. It’s like, you’d move to France if you wanted to learn French.’’
Berghuis said the key to doing well in music was to get involved with as much as possible.
For newcomers to Berguis recommended jazz, artists like Duke Ellington and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. New Zealand Youth Jazz Orchestra, featuring saxophonist Dick Oatts, Great Lake Centre Theatre, Wednesday July 27, 6.30pm. Adults $5, free for students.