Phil Boniface a New Zealand/Canadian bassist, composer and educator. Having spent more than a decade residing in Canada; he performed, recorded and studied with many of the finest jazz musicians on the west coast, alongside multiple performances in the Vancouver International Jazz Festival leading his own groups. 

As a composer, his first album as a bandleader ‘BaixaBlue’ was funded by ‘FACTOR’ and engineered in Canada. Featuring leading west coast Canadian jazz musicians this record exemplifies his abilities as a composer, arranger, performer, and improviser. 

In 2018, with support from the Lilburn Trust, ‘Ponguru’ has been released through RATTLE records. This duo album of improvisations and compositions is a collaboration between ngā taonga pūoro artist Al Fraser and Phil, which brings together the low voice of the double bass and the many voices of ngā taonga pūoro in an exploration of timbre, space, melody and our shared musical language. 

Joining him at WJC on May 10th is Lucien Johnson, saxophones, Matt Steele piano and Mark Lockett, drums. 

 

Phil Boniface Quartet
Featuring:  Phil Boniface (b), Lucien Johnson (s), Matt Steele (p) and Mark Lockett (d). 
Date: Thur 10 May 2018
Venue: Pyramid Club, Level, 272 Taranaki St.
Time: 8pm
Price: $15 General, $8 Members and Students with ID

WJC is pleased to present Craig Walters, a wonderful tenor saxophonist who has recently returned to NZ after living in Sydney for 30+ years.

Originating from Dunedin Craig studied at Berklee College of Music. After living in Wellington in the early ‘80s he moved to Sydney Australia in 1985 where he performed with Bob Mintzer, Michael Bublé, Louie Bellson, Billy Cobham, Cleo Lane, Bob Florence, Rob McConnel, John Riley, Jim McNeely. Local Jazz Groups include Don Rader Quintet, Mike Knock Quartet, Dave McCrae Quartet. Big bands include the James Morrison Big Band, Sydney All Star Big Band and the Sydney Jazz Orchestra.Craig has led & recorded his own quartet and played at most of the major jazz festivals in Australia.

Craig Walters Quartet
Featuring: Craig Walters (s), Noel Clayton (g), Paul Dyne (b), Mark Lockett (d)
Date: Thur 26 April 2018
Venue: Pyramid Club, Level, 272 Taranaki St.
Time: 8pm
Price: $15 General, $8 Members and Students with ID

Jake Baxendale (saxophone) James Paul (guitar) and Cory Champion (drums, no relation) perform some free-flowing meditations on their own themes and any others that might occur. Ornette Coleman, Wayne Shorter, Paul Motian or Radiohead might have a hand in proceedings, indirectly of course – or they may not. Songs and improvisations blur into one another and provide a springboard into the next soundscape.

Breakfast of Champions
Featuring: Jake Baxendale (saxophone), James Paul (guitar) and Cory Champion (drums).
Date: Thur 12 April 2018
Venue: Pyramid Club, Level, 272 Taranaki St.
Time: 8pm
Price: $15 General, $8 Members and Students with ID