The International Jazz Day Sessions 2025 @ Porridge What's On

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The International Jazz Day Sessions 2025

In November 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day (IJD) in order to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe.

Whanganui has been celebrating IJD since 2018 in so many ways, drawing inspiration from the Kaupapa of the initiative to 1/ highlight the role of the music in education, 2/ raise awareness of the need for intercultural dialogue 3/ reinforce international cooperation and communication.

This month’s IJD session at Porridge Watson exemplifies all three with style. Auckland pianist Lucas Kewell returns home from his jazz studies in Switzerland, bringing some new friends with him to meet his old friends from Aotearoa. Lucas has put together a quintet to feature his music. Zoltan Fekete from Hungary on drums and Slovenian vocalist Neža Ozinger are joined by locals Toby Barrett on sax and bassist Tyler Diprose. This international line-up is performing in Auckland and Wellington as they tour the country, and we are thrilled to have them stopping off in Whanganui to showcase our lively town to the Europeans and treat us to their unique sound.

In the spirit of these IJD sessions, the band will play a set and after the break, our local improvising musicians will have the opportunity to sit in with the band. And thanks to Tony Sundman of Porridge Watson, there is no charge for the music. Come down and take advantage of the summer weather, the food and drink on offer and the convivial ambience of a room full of people who enjoy the adventurous music.