Newsletter September 2015

Farewell John... RIP 

It is with deepest sympathy and sadness we farewelled John West who passed away earlier this month. Ex policeman, rugby player, witty old soul, John was a passionate musician with Art Gecko, playing the clarinet. He was a late starter as a musician, taking up the clarinet at 53. John was also President of the Hamilton Jazz Society for a number of years. Bringing his drive and enthusiasm for Jazz music to the folk of Hamilton and the Waikato. Our love and thoughts are with his friends and family. 

It was a great first night at the CT Club, down on numbers, but nevertheless those that came were in for a treat. The top Raglan band: West Coast Jazz played quality jazz and most of you were blown away with their sheer ability and improvisational prowess. With great command of the instruments and their vast knowledge of standards, they captivated our imagination. Soulful saxophone from Bill Forrest, mellow trumpet and flugelhorn from Grant Mason, intriguing piano solos from Greg Taylor, blistering bass from Jack Porima and thundering drums from Freddie Limbert made it for a night of great entertainment. Hospitality and food on the night was great and the venue was much more suitable for our meetings. Simon 

Click here to see the West Coast Jazz photo gallery.

Door policy

As from October, the committee have decided to increase door charges by an additional $5 to make sure that we are not losing money on every concert. So the tickets will be: $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Additionally, in order to be able to host better known, and consequently more expensive bands, we might have to have higher priced tickets for those special concerts. Of course this will be communicated well in advance to all members. Simon 

HJS at Waikato Commerce Club

The Jazz Society has a new warm, friendly venue to hold the Sunday sessions. The move to the Waikato Commerce Club has been an easy one. The friendly staff and management at the WCC welcomed the HJS with open arms. The Club has two large social areas, split into the restaurant and dance floor area and the sports bar. The food is fantastic, and service excellent. There is plenty of parking with wheelchair access up a low ramp. If you haven't been along to a Sunday session at the Club, then plan to make the next few months. Enter the Club from the restaurant door, there's plenty of comfortable seating and tables to chose from. Dancers will enjoy the small, and soon to be extended dance floor too. 

Coming up:

Sunday, 27th of September at the CT Club

Banda de la Casa and JFS

Banda De La Casa is is modern international jazz trio powered by a Polish/English guitarist Maciek, Uruguayan bassist Carlos Pla and Kiwi drummer Freddy Limbert. At HJS they will perform with a special guest on trumpet Grant Mason a surprising and exciting variety of jazz standards and original compositions influenced by the beauty of Aotearoa.


The JFS Band is a 5 piece band from Hamilton. The JFS stands for Jazz, Flamenco, Soul that being the genres of the music they play, highlighting classic standards of great artists from the past. 

Other Events

4th of October

Sunday Night Jam at Dough Bros'  

Sunday Night Jam at Dough Bros' (a first Sunday of the Month- 6pm-8pm) with a duo fronted by esteemed jazz/blues pianist Ben Wilcock and guitarist Cameron Olsen. 

21th of November

Sinatra: The Centenary Celebration 

The Civic, Auckland  

 ‘Sinatra: The Centenary Celebration’ salutes the greatest entertainer of his century. Known as Ol’ Blue Eyes and Chairman of the Board, Sinatra was charismatic, mesmerising and one of the best selling recording artists of our time.

For one night only, Sinatra’s music will be brought to life through one of Vegas' top entertainers, the outstanding Rick Michel, whose performance was praised by Frank Sinatra himself.

www.celebratefrank.co.nz

29th of November

All the way from Wellywood, the Dancing and Drinking Society. Tickets on sale now for this November session.