Jasmine Lovell-Smith is a composer and soprano saxophonist based in Wellington. Her music combines influences from jazz, classical, and folk music traditions, and has been described as “arrestingly wry and lyrical” (New York City Jazz Record), “honest, intelligent chamber jazz” (Jazz Times) & “[an] unashamedly rich tapestry of sound” (Dominion Post, NZ). After a number of years based in New York, Connecticut and Mexico, Jasmine rejoined the Wellington scene in 2017. Recent projects have included the Noveltones, the Arthur Street Loft Orchestra, and commissions for the Wellington Jazz Festival and Stroma. Much of Jasmine’s recent work has focused on the intersection of jazz and chamber music, but for this special WJC concert she is looking forward to debuting some new music for the traditional jazz quartet format.

Jasmine Lovell-Smith Quartet
Featuring: Jasmine Lovell-Smith (s), Daniel Hayles (p), Emma Hattaway (b), Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa (d) 
Date: Thu 29 Oct 2020, 8pm
Venue: The Third Eye, Upstairs at 30 Arthur St. Te Aro
Price: General $15, WJC members $10, and Students with ID $10.

Ahead of the Wellington Jazz Festival, WJC has been fortunate to have a recipient of the 2020 Wellington Jazz Festival Commissions Anita Schwabe to perform for us. Anita is a Wellington jazz pianist and composer who has studied both here in NZ and overseas at the Koninklijk Conservatorium, Banff Centre for the Arts Canada and Berklee College of Music USA. She has performed at all the major jazz festivals in NZ with her own group and with other NZ and overseas musicians. In 2018 she recorded her album “Eat Your Greens” (available on Rattle Records) and won the APRA composition award for her composition “Spring Tide”.

Anita Schwabe Quartet
Featuring: Anita Schwabe (piano), Nick Tipping (bass), Lance Philip (drums), Callum Allardice (guitar).
Date: Thu 15 Oct 2020, 8pm
Venue: The Third Eye, Upstairs at 30 Arthur St. Te Aro
Price: Tickets available on Eventfinda
General $15, WJC members $10, and Students with ID $10.

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, he was a consulate and prolific jazz musician who performed with countless international and local groups. Roger nurtured and mentored thousands of students helping them on their musical journey and making a difference to so many lives.

George Maclaurin is an jazz piano honours student at Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music, drawing influence from pianists old and new such as Ahmad Jamal, Gerald Clayton, Sonny Clark and Aaron Parks. He has gradually established himself in the Wellington jazz scene as a sideman and is now playing the first gig under his own name, performing both originals and songs from the Jazz standard repertoire. Joining him will be Callum Allardice (g), Louisa Williamson (ts), Umar Zakaria (b) and Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa (ds).

Lily Shaw has recently completed a BMus(Hons) in jazz performance from Te Koki, New Zealand School of Music, where she studied tenor saxophone and classical voice as a second instrument. Lily’s original compositions reflect her background as a student of multiple genres, and is working to create music which melds both of her instruments. She will be joined by a stellar line up of: Phoebe Johnson (b) Cory Champion (d), Hector Mclachlan (p).

Roger Sellers Emerging Artist Series
Date: Thu 1 Oct 2020, 8pm
Venue: The Third Eye, Upstairs at 30 Arthur St. Te Aro
Price: Tickets available on Eventfinda.co.nz.
General $15, WJC members $10, and Students with ID $10.

Recipient of the 2020 Wellington Jazz Festival Commissions Riki Gooch presents the NZ Idol Quartet. Featuring the talents of Jacqui Nyman on Double Bass, Ruby May Solly on Cello, Jeff Henderson on Saxophones and Riki Gooch on Drums/Electronics. The quartet will perform a mix of improvised and composed pieces inspired by Henry Threadgill, Milford Graves and the Mōteatea song-form.

Riki Gooch (NZ Idol Quartet)
Featuring:  Jacqui Nyman (b), Ruby May Solly (c), Jeff Henderson (s), Riki Gooch (d/e).
Date: Thu 17 Sep 2020, 8pm
Venue: The Third Eye, Upstairs at 30 Arthur St. Te Aro
Price: General $15, WJC members $10, and Students with ID $10