The WJC Roger Sellers Emerging Artist Series was established to remember and pay tribute to much loved and respected drummer, educator, and mentor Roger Sellers. Dedicating his life to the art form of jazz, Roger was a consulate and prolific jazz musician who performed with countless international and local groups. Roger nurtured and mentored thousands of students during his time at the Wellington Polytechnic Jazz Conservatory (which later became the New Zealand School of Music), helping them on their musical journey and making a difference to so many lives.

For this concert, we will feature two outstanding students from NZSM, Ella Dunbar-Wilcox and Seth Boy. Each artist will perform a 45-minute suite of original compositions. 

Ella Dunbar-Wilcox presents a programme of original material and tributes to performers such as Cecile McLorin Salvante and Betty Carter.

The Seth Boy trio is inspired by the great piano trios of old, and by the big band concept of the likes Count Basie and Thad Jones. Much like his compositions and arrangements, Seth’s bass playing is assertive, driving, and involved.

Seth Boy Trio: Seth Boy (b), Leonardo Coghini (p) and James Feekes (d). 
Ella Dunbar-Wilcox Quintet: Ella Dunbar-Wilcox (v),  Ben Stewart (p), Seth Boy (b), James Feekes (d) and Lily Shaw (ts). 
Date and time: 29 August, 8pm
Venue: The Third Eye, 30 Arthur Street, Te Aro
Tickets: General $15, WJC members $15 and Students with ID $10

Descent of the Free’ is Double Bassist/Composer Elsen Price’s 2019 release, exploring texture, harmony and new sounds on the double bass in a 5 movement suite. Released on the ABC/Universal label, the work has been performed in Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Tokyo, Perth, and now in NZ in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

‘Elsen’s playing here is stylish, suave and seductive as lyrical lines twist and turn throughout, unfolding with striking urgency’ – Cut common Magazine

‘Elsen Price is an incredibly inspiring musician who seems to have no limits to his abilities’ – Jazz and Beyond

Descent of the Free
Featuring: Elsen Price (b), Chris Beernink (b), Noel Clayton (g) and Mark Lockett (d)
Date: Thur 15 August 2019, 8pm
Venue: The Third Eye, Upstairs at 30 Arthur St. Te Aro
Price: General $20, WJC members and Students with ID $15

A WJC special double feature performance by Myele Manzanza followed by the Martin Greshoff  Quintet

Debuting a new solo drum performance Myele is challenging himself to bring a new level of focus and heightened musicality to the instrument. Drawing from his African roots whilst pushing himself into new improvisational territory, this performance is largely a test to try and push Myele’s development as a drummer, musician and artist. For those interested in new creative music it will be a performance not to be missed.

Martin Greshoff presents his newly formed ‘Electric Quintet,’ with influences from Rock, Jazz Fusion and Classical Music all coalescing in a set of brand new compositions.

Myele Manzanza + Martin Gershoff Quintet
Featuring: Myele Manzanz (d)
Featuring: Martin Greshoff (tb), James Guildford-Smith (t), Jacob Pritchard (g), Seth Boy (b), James Feekes (d)
Date: Thur 1 August 2019, 8pm
Venue: The Third Eye, Upstairs at 30 Arthur St. Te Aro
Price: General $15, WJC members and Students with ID $10

Award winning guitarist and composer Callum Allardice presents a set of original contemporary jazz. 

Callum Allardice Quartet
Featuring: Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa (d), Chris Beernink (b), Leo Coghini (p) and Callum (g)
Date: Thur 18 July 2019, 8pm
Venue: The Third Eye, Upstairs at 30 Arthur St. Te Aro
Price: General $15, WJC members and Students with ID $10

“Louisa Williamson will be presenting a show of original music and a variety of other mid-winter tunes. 

LBW Quintet
Featuring:  Louisa Williamson (s), Dan Hayles (p), Callum Allardice (g), Johnny Lawrence (b) and Cory Champion (d)
ate: Thur 4 July 2019, 8pm
Venue: The Third Eye, Upstairs at 30 Arthur St. Te Aro
Price: General $20, WJC members and Students with ID $15

Oscar Laven is an eclectic saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist based in Wellington, New Zealand. A frequently appearing personality in the New Zealand jazz scene, Laven is a busy full-time performer and composer, with degrees in jazz and classical from the New Zealand School of Music. He has performed/recorded internationally and across the country with many artists/ensembles including the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Dave Weckl, Steve Gadd, James Carter, John Beasley’s Monkestra, The Rodger Fox Big Band, Robben Ford, Lydia Pence, The Wellington Mingus Ensemble, his own 19-piece big band The Neo Hot Jive Orchestra, The Wellington City Shake ‘Em On Downers, and many more. 

For this WJC event Laven will be presenting a suite of original quintet works inspired by the younger works of Ornette Coleman & Don Cherry.

Oscar Laven Quintet
Featuring: 
Date: Thur 20 June 2019, 8pm
Venue: The Third Eye, Upstairs at 30 Arthur St. Te Aro
Price: General $20, WJC members and Students with ID $15

 

Zela Margossian Quintet is an ethno-jazz band based in Sydney, performing original works and arrangements carrying influences from Armenian traditional music. Comprised of talented and multi-cultural musicians from Sydney, Zela Margossian Quintet creates an exotic musical atmosphere that is sure to take you on an emotive and pleasurable journey.

The Zela Margossian Quintet participated in the Beirut International Jazz Festival in Beirut, Lebanon in April 2018. The Quintet has also participated in different festivals in Sydney such as the International Women’s Jazz Festival in 2017 and Sydney Improvised Music Association’s Winter Jazz Festival in June 2018 as a headline band.

Transition, the band’s debut album was released digitally by Art As Catharsis record label in November 2018.

Zela Margossian Quintet
Featuring: Zela Margossian (piano), Stuart Vandegraaff (clarinet, saxophone), Adem Yilmaz (percussion), Elsen Price (double bass), and Alexander Inman-Hislop (drums).
Date: Thur 23 May 2019, 8pm
Venue: The Third Eye, Upstairs at 30 Arthur St. Te Aro
Price: General $20, WJC members and Students with ID $15

WJC is pleased to present its second Emerging Artist concert. 

Katelin Little and Chris Beernink
For their latest collaboration, Katelin Little and Chris Beernink explore various sonic realms by incorporating electronic synthesizers and effects. Together they will be presenting original compositions and interpretations of pieces from an eclectic range of styles. Joining Chris and Katelin are Aryton Foote and Ben Stewart on keyboards and synthesizers and Lennox Grootjans on Drums.

James Guildford-Smith
James presents a set of original tunes inspired by the recordings of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Woody Shaw and many others, explored through the unique sound of the Trumpet/Bass/Drums trio. Featuring another emerging player Seth Boy on Bass and local heavyweight drummer Hikurangi Schaverian-Kaa.

Date: Thur 9 May 2019, 8pm
Venue: The Third Eye, Upstairs at 30 Arthur St. Te Aro
Price: General $15, WJC members and Students with ID $8