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)