Newsletter August 2015

Wow what a July- two amazing evenings full of jazz!  The Great Gatsby Ball was a fabulous night, everyone was dressed to impress making the Cozzie Club the most glamorous joint in town, the Queen City Big Band really got everyone going (never seen so many people on that dance floor!), and the Ragtime Annies spiced it up with their  flapper floor show. The band played a great mix of old and new tunes, making it hard to decide whether to get up and boogie or sit and enjoy the delicious platters on offer! Thanks to all who attended for making it such a special event. 

Then only a week later what better way to spend a drizzly Sunday afternoon than tucked up inside with the luxurious Susan Gai Dowling, Carol Ralph with the Mike Walker Trio. The trio musicians provided a beautiful backdrop for the velvet voices of Susan and Carol, which had us melting in our seats. A real treat to have them over from Australia (and down from the big smoke beyond the Bombays), so a big thank you for making the trip.  Rachel Skews

Click here to see Susan Gai Dowling and Carol Ralph picture gallery.

An exciting new venue!

The Jazz Society is excited to be moving to the Hamilton Commerce Club (also known as the CT Club) on 197 Collingwood St from this August’s meeting. Still a great central venue with plenty of parking, drinks and meals available, a cozy atmosphere and plans for a bigger and better dance floor! 

The Cosmopolitan Club was a great venue for events like the recent Ball, but unfortunately ongoing arguments from members of both clubs about payment had overshadowed the venue’s merits, and so we’ve found a place where that won’t be an issue. 

The Hamilton Jazz Society absolutely loves bringing top quality jazz musicians from all over the place to play for you, its members, and if we all chip in through our door tickets and membership fees they’ll be able to keep doing just that!

Speaking of which, this August at the Commerce Club we’re looking forward to having the West Coast Jazz Band from across the divvy come and play us some smooth lounge sounds. A quintet with piano, tenor sax, trumpet, bass, and drums they’ll have you cruising through your Sunday afternoon from 4:30-7:30. Come and check out our new home, it’ll be great to see you there.

Coming up:

Sunday, 30th of August at the CT Club

West Coast Jazz

West Coast Jazz Band, a five piece jazz combo based around the Raglan area. The band specialises in playing straight-ahead jazz tunes and standards, from the “cool” styles of the late 50’s, through to the present day.

Formed during 2012, with the nucleus of: Greg Taylor – piano, Jack Porima – bass, and Bill Forrest on saxophone, the band has steadily progressed to include drummer Freddy Limbert, and trumpet player Grant Mason. Each member has played in previous outfits, which subsequently led to a commonality between the players – the love of jazz.

This, along with accumulative musical skill, dedication, and a desire to push their musical boundaries, ultimately led to the forming of the band. 

Other Events

7th, 8th, 9th of August

Bay of Island Jazz & Blues Festival 

Every year jazz and blues musicians gather from all over New Zealand and overseas for the annual Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival.

Buy badges through www.jazz-blues.co.nz,  at all Venues, B.O.I. i-SITE in Paihia 0800 363 463, Wards Music Shop in Whangarei 09 438 9063. Badges cost $50, which gives access to all venues during the weekend and shuttle buses between the venues at Paihia and Haruru Falls. Programme cost is $2. 

Friday, 21st of August

Banda De La Casa

At Nivara Lounge, Basement, 266 Victoria Street.  

Banda De La Casa is is modern international jazz trio powered by a Polish/English guitarist Maciek (maciekmusic.com) and Uruguayan bassist Carlos Pla. They perform a surprising and exciting variety of jazz standards and original compositions influenced by the beauty of Aotearoa where they met. 

Friday, 21st of August

 Banda De La Casa  and a special guest at the CT Club.