Porridge Watson
30 Drews Avenue
Whanganui, New Zealand 4500
Sunday 19 January, 2025
06:00PM
Sunday 19 January, 2025
08:00PM
IJD Jam Session features Auckland Talent
The International Jazz Day (IJD) Jam Sessions at Porridge Watson head into 2025 with a new vigor, thanks to Whanganui becoming an ever more popular destination for touring jazz bands. January and February highlite emerging musicians from the Auckland jazz scene.
First up and hailing from West Auckland are Toby Barrett (saxophone)and Max Crook (drums), two young musicians who have put together a quartet to tour the North Island.
The pair have been playing together since high school and have recently completed their undergraduate degrees in Jazz Music Performance.
They have been lucky to study with some of the country's best improvisers and now regularly perform alongside them. Most recently at the Wellington Jazz Festival, Toby led the 'The Fourtune Quartet' and then performed with Frank Talbot's 'Twin Tenors'. Max has played regularly as member of Jonathan Crayford's Trio in Auckland, and last winter took his own project 'House of Green Branches' on tour with seven shows up and down the island, playing in Whanganui at the Musicians Club.
This outing features a new co-directed project, giving them the opportunity to play a mixture of their original compositions. With the addition of Duncan Haynes on Keys and Chris Beernink on Upright Bass, this will be a coming together of four very strong improvisers resulting in a new and powerful sound.
In the spirit of the IJD Jam series, local musicians are invited to sit in with the band. The band will play a set, and after a break return to have a jam. This is sure to be a session of adventurous music. All are welcome and there is no charge. This will be a great evening entertainment for the whole family and a fine addition to the many events being staged during Vintage Weekend. Come and check it out.