The Wellington Jazz Festival in New Zealand | June 6th-8th, 2013

There are major international acts, home-grown super
groups, chilled afternoon sessions and riotous late-night jams – all
crammed into some of Wellington’s best loved music venues, bars and
eateries.

Headlining the weekend are two top international jazz artists in the Wellington Opera House.

With
ten Grammy Awards between them, Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés and
American vocalist Cassandra Wilson bring star power and two seriously
good bands to the Opera House stage.

Kicking things off
Cuban-style, Chucho Valdés opens the Festival on Thursday 6 June with
his Afro-Cuban Messengers. A musical giant, Valdés is revered as one of
Cuba’s greatest jazz pianists and bandleaders. Known for his electric
stage presence and supreme playing technique, he also has an astonishing
instant recall – plucking familiar phrases and weaving in tunes on the
fly. From Ronnie Scott’s to Carnegie Hall, Valdés has played the world’s
top jazz clubs and concert halls. So anticipation is high for this, his
first New Zealand performance.

Mississippi-born jazz vocalist
Cassandra Wilson performs on Friday 7 June, backed by a sextet featuring
some of today’s finest U.S. musicians. A two-time Grammy Award-winner,
dubbed “America’s best singer” by Time magazine, Wilson is blessed with a
distinctive and flexible contralto voice. Cassandra Wilson began
working as a vocalist in the mid ’70s, singing everything from British
pop to American country. She signed with Blue Note Records in 1992 and
released the landmark album Blue Light ‘Til Dawn – which would pave the
way for a new generation of jazz singers. Deftly reinventing the jazz
repertoire with a light touch, she is celebrated for her smooth vocals
and cool, intimate style of performance.

Friday night’s
Wellington Jazz Festival party, The Opera House Session, promises a
joyous night of back-to-back jazz. First up is 20-year old vocalist and
producer Estère – an edgy Erykah Badhu for the next generation. Then
with a mix of Caribbean grooves, Afrobeat rhythms, highlife guitars and
salsa sizzle – the Shogun Orchestra is a super group that features
members of The Yoots, Fat Freddy’s Drop, The Black Seeds and Lord Echo.
Closing the gig with their original brand of Taniwhunk, Data Hui brings
us Kiwi favourites Billy TK, Mara TK, Riki Gooch, Iraia Whakamoe and
Crete Haami.

On Saturday 8 June, the Opera House plays host to
more jazz – including the sounds of Rodger Fox’s Wellington Jazz
Orchestra with special guest vocalists Glenn Walter (USA) and Erna Ferry
(NZ).

Wellington drummer Reuben Bradley brings together
international jazz artists Julien Wilson (saxophone), Brett Hirst (bass)
and the New Zealand String Quartet for MANTIS – a live concert to
honour the music of the late Drew Menzies, one of New Zealand’s best
jazz and classical double bassists. Arranged by Reuben Bradley with
string arrangements by John Psathas.

Signing off the Opera House
line-up, Kiwi jazz and soul diva Iva Lamkum appears on a late night
double-bill with Venezuelan singer Jennifer Zea. Joined by her band, Zea
will sing tracks from her latest album The Latin Soul ¬- which was
produced by Nathan Haines and is a finalist for Best Jazz Album at the
2013 New Zealand Music Awards.

Elsewhere in the Cuba Quarter,
Mighty Mighty turns New Orleans juke joint for the Roseneath Centennial
Ragtime Band. From Jerusalem, the Omri Mor Trio’s Mighty Mighty set
AndalouJazz blends contemporary jazz improvisation with traditional
North African Andalusian music.

Matterhorn Late Nights is where
you can while away the wee hours – with free after dark sessions every
night of the Festival, including appearances from Lisa Tomlins and
Vanessa Stacey. Meow is planning a jazz marathon with music all day,
every day – featuring The Trio, Adam Page with a tribute to tenor sax
legend Sonny Rollins, the John Rae All Star Collective and much more.

At
street level there will be free music and fun with the New Zealand
School of Music. There are jazz film classics screening at the Light
House Cinema; jazz cabaret at Bats Theatre; Afro-Cuban Bandits at Havana
Bar; a “roomfulla blues” at Hotel Bristol; The Boptet at Lido; jazz for
dinner at Daddy O’s; two trios at Southern Cross and even a Soul for
Survivors service at St Peter’s Church on the Sunday morning after. Plus
festival-goers can show off their vintage style at the Friday Night
Dress Up at any WJF venue across the city.