Striking Moments

“…that’s my way of preparation – to not be prepared. And that takes a lot of preparation!” – Lee Konitz

What does it mean to prepare to be unprepared? Lee Konitz’s deft paradox represents a challenge to the improviser: how can one practice and prepare for improvising, while simultaneously aspiring to spontaneity, newness and the unexpected in its performance?

Drawing on his recently completed Masters research, Jake Baxendale explores this idea through original compositions, jazz standards and free improvisation,  with a brand new ensemble in this one-off performance for the Wellington Jazz Cooperative!

Jake Baxendale – Stricking Moment
Featuring: Jack Harré – trumpet, Phoebe Johnson – bass, Rick Cranson – drums and Jake Baxendale – reeds
Date: Thur 11 November 2021, 7.30pm
Venue: Lovebite, 2 Forresters Lane
Price: Tickets available on Eventfinda.co.nz

As a regular member of the Rodger Fox Big Band, Royal New Zealand Air Force Band and Julie Lamb Outfit, as well as playing with many shorter projects including twice touring Europe with the JM Jazz World Orchestra, Frank Talbot is a stalwart of the local scene. 

Having completed jazz and classical training at the New Zealand School of Music (as well as hobby playing heavy metal guitar), Talbot incorporates a range of styles and influences into his music. In the intimate setting afforded by the WJC he’ll be presenting a variety of exciting, emotional, intense and sombre moods including some brand new works accompanied by some of Wellington’s finest musicians.

Joining Frank will be Ayrton Foote (p), Phoebe Johnson (b) and Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa (d)

“New Zealand produces many good tenor players and judging by Talbot’s confident performance, he will go from strength to strength” – John Fenton, Jazz Local 32

Frank Talbot Quartet
Date: Thur 4 November 2021, 7.30pm
Venue: Lovebite, 2 Forresters Lane
Price: Tickets available on Eventfinda.co.nz

Three time winner of Jazz Composition of the Year award, Callum Allardice, presents his original music, including some fresh new compositions.

Callum Allardice Quarte
Featuring: Callum Allardice – Guitar, Leonardo Coghini – Piano, Johnny Lawrence – Bass, Hikurangi Schaverien- Kaa – Drums
Date: Thur 28 October 2021, 7.30pm
Venue: Lovebite, 2 Forresters Lane
Price: Tickets available on Eventfinda.co.nz

“Lily Rose Shaw is an up and coming artist in the Pōneke jazz scene, a graduate of the jazz programme at Te Kōki, NZSM who was singled out as one of the musicians who is “really shining . . . a great composer”. Lily has been gigging regularly around Wellington with bands such as OdESSA, Revulva, Chantal Claret and The Gallery and now has taken what she has learnt as a sideman to create her own project. Her original music is contemporary, steeped in jazz but with a modern R’n’B twist, and she leads the band with confidence as a multi-instrumentalist singing, playing tenor saxophone and flute. “

Joining Lily Shaw (saxophone, flute, vocals) is Phoebe Johnson (bass), Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa (drums), and Hector McLachlan (keys)

COVID 2 Level 2 restriction apply.

Fresh from headlining at the 2021 Wellington Jazz Festival, Umar Zakaria is a Tui award-winning New Zealand bassist and composer filled with hope for the future. His music unites diverse musical traditions to inspire communication and cooperation across boundaries.

Umar has given performances across Europe, Asia and the USA alongside Myele Manzanza, Norio Maeda, Snorre Kirk and Ben Wendel among others. He is a student of legendary jazz bassists Cecil McBee and Lynn Seaton as well as NZ’s own Paul Dyne, and received the 1st runner-up prize at the BASS2014 International Jazz Bass Competition. He was named ‘Best Jazz Artist by Recorded Music New Zealand in 2018 and was awarded a scholarship to attend the renowned Banff International Workshop for Jazz and Creative Music the following year under the artistic direction of Vijay Iyer and Tyshawn Sorey.

Having developed a reputation for emotionally stirring performances, Umar now seeks to share heartfelt original music with his trio to audiences across New Zealand and internationally, spreading a message of courage and unity through the powerful sound of the double bass.

The Umar Zakaria Trio features Duncan Haynes on piano and Luther Hunt on drums, presenting a vibrant programme of American jazz classics as well as original pieces based on Malay influences and Kiwi experiences.

Umar Zakaria Trio
Date: Thur 30 September 2021, 7.30pm
Venue: Lovebite, 2 Forresters Lane

Unfortunately, tonight’s concert has been cancelled due to Covid Level 4 restrictions.

Melbourne/Wellington-based guitarist and composer Jamie Pye brings an exciting quartet lineup to Lovebite this September. Having studied at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne, as well as soon completing his post-graduate studies at the New Zealand School of Music, Jamie looks forward to sharing his music in Wellington for the first time. Drawing inspiration from a host of contemporary jazz composers and bandleaders such as Brian Blade, Aaron Parks, Kendrick Scott and Mike Moreno, as well as folk artists such as Ben Howard and José González, Jamie too hopes to convey an honest sense of storytelling and narrative throughout his compositions.

Jamie Pye Quartet
Featuring: Jamie Pye (G), Ben Stewart (P), Umar Zakaria (B) and Lennox Grootjans (D)
Date: Thur 16 September 2021, 7.30pm
Venue: Lovebite, 2 Forresters Lane
Price: Tickets available on Eventfinda.co.nz

Due to Covid level 2 restrictions this concert has been proposed

As a regular member of the Rodger Fox Big Band, Royal New Zealand Air Force Band and Julie Lamb Outfit, as well as playing with many shorter projects including twice touring Europe with the JM Jazz World Orchestra, Frank Talbot is a stalwart of the local scene. 

Having completed jazz and classical training at the New Zealand School of Music (as well as hobby playing heavy metal guitar), Talbot incorporates a range of styles and influences into his music. In the intimate setting afforded by the WJC he’ll be presenting a variety of exciting, emotional, intense and sombre moods including some brand new works accompanied by some of Wellington’s finest musicians.

Joining Frank will be Ayrton Foote (p), Phoebe Johnson (b) and Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa (d)

“New Zealand produces many good tenor players and judging by Talbot’s confident performance, he will go from strength to strength” – John Fenton, Jazz Local 32

Frank Talbot Quartet
Date: Thur 2 September 2021, 7.30pm
Venue: Lovebite, 2 Forresters Lane
Price: Tickets available on Eventfinda.co.nz