Frosty mornings, the threat of snow, and midwinter blues might be a couple of months away yet, but Christchurch is about to be hit by a different type of blues when the Cavell Leitch New Zealand International Jazz & Blues Festival, opens a new window comes to town later this week (May 23-27).
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Returning to the city for its twenty-third year, this festival is a treat for lovers of jazz and blues, and offers a range of experiences showcasing local and international talent, and up-and-coming stars to watch out for in the future. Here are a couple that really stand out to me.
Kurt Elling, opens a new window, Grammy Award-winner and 8-times winner of the Jazz Journalists Association's 'Male Singer of the Year' title, is headlining the festival, playing with the Kurt Elling Quintet at the Piano on Saturday, May 26. His is a voice that is an absolute pleasure to listen to, and with the backing of a live quintet, this is sure to be a magical evening.
Listen to Kurt Elling's music in our collection (includes streaming music as well as CDs)
What a show! Don't miss his Christchurch performance May 26, 8pm. Booking from Dash Tickets.
Posted by JAZZ Cabaret Christchurch on Monday, February 26, 2018
Whenever I think of jazz and blues, Billie Holiday, opens a new window is one of the first names I think of. Although we won't be graced by the great singer herself, we will be able to experience the power of her repertoire when Mary Coughlan, opens a new window sings Billie Holiday in two concerts at The Piano on Wednesday 23 May. This show was first performed in Christchurch at the Jazz & Blues Festival fifteen years ago, and I'm hoping I get to it this time around - I was trying to decide whether to go see it back then, and didn't, and have been kicking myself ever since.
Listen to Mary Coughlan's music in our collection.
Listen to Billie Holiday's music in our collection (includes streaming music as well as CDs)
Having played clarinet when I was younger, I have always enjoyed hearing what Kiwi Nathan Haines, opens a new window has been up to in the music world, and am excited to see him here in Christchurch with Jonathan Crayford, opens a new window. With violin accompaniment, this duo will be reinterpreting the works of well-known classical composers to fit the jazz and blues style of the festival. Both Haines and Crayford have won the Best Jazz Album of the Year award here in New Zealand, and with this amount of skill on the stage I am really excited to see what they create.
Listen to music by Nathan Haines in our collection.
Listen to music by Jonathan Crayford in our collection.
Our Blue Smoke Series features a stellar line-up of local, national and international musicians and kicks off on 24 May...
Posted by JAZZ Cabaret Christchurch on Thursday, April 26, 2018
Of course, all the big names need to start somewhere, and the Jazz & Blues Festival supports these young up-and-comers and Christchurch locals. Georgie Clifford and Alice Tanner are two such 'noteable young women', and Christchurch local Kate Taylor, front-woman of the All-Girl Big Band, is also one to watch. On the festival's last day, five Christchurch high schools will show off their jazz skills in the Festival High School Jazz Band Concert at Christchurch Boys High School on Sunday 27 May.
For something a little different, join chef Richard Till, opens a new window and local band The Eastern, opens a new window for an evening of Southern Fried Chicken and music at the Lyttelton Arts Factory on Friday 25 May and Saturday 26 May.
As you see, with so many different artists on the programme, there really will be something for everyone. I recommend getting your tickets now so that you don't miss out on this wonderful musical experience. And, once the festival's over, check out our jazz and blues resources to stay in the swing of things.
Jazz and blues in our collection
Jazz and blues eResources
Naxos Music Library Jazz streams over 9000 jazz albums, from jazz legends to contemporary jazz. It covers a wide range of jazz music with recordings from over 32,000 artists. Labels include Blue Note, Warner Jazz, EMI, Enja, Fantasy and more. New albums are added weekly.
Jazz Music Library includes material from Concord Records, including New Zealand pianist Alan Broadbent, major jazz figures such as Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and more. There are also recent jazz figures such as Diana Krall, Esperanza Spalding, and even Michael Bolton singing Sinatra standards! The collection includes works licensed from legendary record labels, including Audiophile, Blue Note, Concord Jazz, Jazzology, Milestone, Nessa Records, Original Jazz Classics, Pablo, and Prestige. Also included are Marian McPartland’s Peabody Award winning Piano Jazz Radio Broadcasts and never before released performances from the Monterey Jazz Festival and great jazz venues. Jazz Music Library is part of Music Online: Listening Plus.
American Song provides online access to over 100,000 tracks from every genre and music period of American history.
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