NZ’s only all-female big band marks five years with jazz
The only all-female big band in New Zealand marked their fifth anniversary by playing Split Enz songs on a tram as it moved through a crowd of thousands in central Christchurch.
The All Girl Big Band, which was formed by music director Lana Law in January 2016, were part of the New Regent St Spectacular that launched the Bread & Circus – World Buskers Festival earlier this month.
Six members of the group arrived by tram performing jazz covers of Split Enz songs Six Months in a Leaky Boat and I See Red.
Law said she formed the unique group after noticing how male dominated the big band scene was around the world.
‘‘I grew up playing in a lot of big bands and I spent a few years working on cruise ships, and I was always the only female musician in a 10-piece band,’’ she said.
‘‘It was the same when I got back home. I just thought, ‘there are a lot of really good female musicians, let’s see what we can do’.’’
She put the word out to all her musician friends and within a few weeks she had an all female big band ready to roll.
Since then, the 18-strong band has played in jazz festivals across New Zealand and will perform at the Lazy Sundays event in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens on February 21.
The group play big band classics like Get Happy, but also pop covers like Tightrope by Janelle Mona´ e and Back to Black by Amy Winehouse.
She wanted the group to inspire young women to play music.
‘‘We can inspire the young generation coming through.
‘‘There is something about big band music that is really exciting. You can’t help but tap your feet.’’
Law said playing in an all-female group felt different to those days on the cruise ships as the only woman in a big band. It is slightly different with an all female band.
‘‘It is hard to put your finger on it. Everyone is there to play really good music and have fun and support each other.
‘‘It is just really magical. It is a really proud feeling you get being part of a group of hard out women playing great music.’’