Louisa Williamson Quartet
20th April 2023
Louisa Williamson - Saxophone
Michael Howell - Guitar
Tom Dennison - Bass
Adam Tobeck - Drums
'Wellington-based saxophonist and composer Louisa is extremely excited to present a set of original music with this star studded Auckland band of beauties!'
Lolly Scramble
13th April 2023
Callum Passells - Saxophone
Michael Howell - Guitar
Tristan Deck - Drums & Cymbals
"Tristan, Michael and Callum played their first gig together ten years ago. Over that decade they have built a unique language and connection, and have finally come up with a name for the band. As Lolly Scramble suggests, anything is up for grabs with this trio. TV theme songs, deconstructed standards, original melodies, open improvisation - all delicious sweets to be eagerly plucked and devoured. They return to 151 for the first time since 2016, to sling their magic around the room."
Blue Tigers
13th April 2023
Callum Passells - Drums & Cymbals
Bethany Britten - Bass
Charlotte Barrand - Alto Saxophone
Will Ralph - Alto Saxophone
Francesca Parussini - Tenor Saxophone
J.Y Lee - Baritone Saxophone
“New improvised music for four saxophones and rhythm section The writer Jorge Luis Borges' stories often center around impossible objects; items with which human interactions become confusing, opaque and probabilistic. These new compositions by saxophonist Callum Passells see musical instruments as impossible objects - within them, avenues of sound and improvisation expand and contract, and structures are quickly built before disappearing. This new music takes cues from musicians like Anthony Braxton, Tyshawn Sorey, Phil Dadson and Charles Mingus, composers who revel equally in chaos and community effort”
Kenji Sings Some Songs & Standards
30th March 2023
Kenji Iwamitsu-Holdaway - Guitar
Jamal Hassan Hussein- Guitar
Connor McAneny - Keys
John Murray - Drums
Cameron MacArthur - Bass
'Kenji the guitarist plays some original material interspersed with Vocal melodies and Neo soul type guitar Improvisation. He’s also just gonna have a good old shred on some standards with support from a band of well seasoned Musicians.'
https://www.instagram.com/kenji_the_guitarist/?hl=en
Adrian Brown Quintet
1st July 2022
Adrian Brown – Guitar
Andrew Isdale – Saxophone
Joe Kaptein – Keys
Elliott Park – Bass
Ben Frater - Drums
”'The 'Adrian Brown Quintet' performs live for the first time with a complete set of new compositions that capture the elements of dance, jazz, Latin and electronic music. After studying at the jazz program in Auckland, Adrian has formed a band consisting of incredibly talented graduates and looks to deliver his own unique sound to the world of contemporary jazz.”
00:00 Liminality
12:16 Choom
25:28 No More
36:11 Lowe
www.instagram.com/adrianbrownmusiic
Alex Pipes Sextet
1st July 2022
Alex Pipes - Guitar
Andrew Isdale - Saxophone
Joe Kaptein - Keys, Synths
Wil Goodinson - Bass
Elijah White - Drums
Ben Frater - Percussion
'Alex Pipes is a New Zealand based guitarist and composer. Jazz educated, with influences spanning across jazz, house, funk, hip hop and rock, Alex’s myriad of musical influences unexpectedly fuse together to provide a fresh sound to the world of contemporary music. Off the back of his recent debut release, Alex explores his music at 151 with his sextet.'
0:00 Pontoon
11:25 Wine Drunk
24:28 Turn Me Loose (Roy Ayers)
37:58 Momo
www.alexpipes.bandcamp.com
Provincial Spirit
23rd June 2022
Callum Passells - Saxophone
Chelsea Prastiti - Vocals
Cameron McArthur - Bass
Adam Tobeck - Drums & Cymbals
'“The year is 2014. Callum Passells assembles a crack team of improvisers to perform new compositions in Tāmaki Makaurau. They book a single gig to test out the music. The show is a massive success - rave reviews, audience members speaking in tongues, a letter from the Prime Minister. Plans are hatched to capitalise on the tidal wave of momentum. The year is 2022. Callum finally gets around to booking a second gig. He is very excited, and you should be too - at this rate it will be another eight years before you see this band again. The 'two horn' frontline showcases the chameleonic talents of vocalist Chelsea Prastiti, while bassist Cameron McArthur and drummer Adam Tobeck weave dense thickets of rhythm. The band ricochets from brooding and dramatic, to bratty and playful, to sweet and rhapsodic. New songs, old songs, and folk songs are all on the menu.”
Status Seekers
16th June 2022
Neil Feather - Batchelor
Drummy (Jeff Henderson) - Drums
Kat Tomacruz - Guitar
Chris O'Connor - Drums
"Status Seekers have today announced a special Auckland homecoming show on June 16 at Nice Goblins, and their first show in Auckland in 2 months! Joined by Kat Tomacruz and Chris O'Connor, the band is beyond excited to play to a home crowd in Auckland for the first time in nearly two months. “Performing at home after 2 months will be f***ing insane! Being able to play for our brothers and sisters in a Tattoo studio I used to go to as a kid and watch the bands I loved will be a real moment for me,” says Neil Feather, the band’s lead Batchelor player. “If there is one place I know we will have the show of a lifetime - it’s at home MUTHA F***ING AUCKLAND! The home of the brave!”
https://jeffhenderson1.bandcamp.com/album/we-like-to-party
‘Women in Jazz’
Wynefred Wang
16th Dec 2022
'Wynefred Wang - Vocals
Hannah Dactyl - Drums & Cymbals
Bethany Britten - Bass
Juliana Antoniol Sian - Piano
"Women In Jazz (WIJ) is an organization that advocates for and organizes events that promote and foster the development of female jazz musicians in Aotearoa. Women are disproportionately represented to men in the jazz community due to a historical and current bias. We hope to generate change in the music scene in Aotearoa by creating safe spaces for women to fellowship and learn from each other. Our values are aroha, respect, growth, companionship, and sharing knowledge. The women that this collective was formed for are those who have an interest in jazz and those that desire a safe space to learn and to connect with other women. These women are underrepresented in the jazz community on both a local and a global scale. The group is open to those who have female experiences, this includes those who identify as women but also those in the LGBTQI+ community."
https://www.instagram.com/wijauckland
https://www.facebook.com/wijauckland
‘Women in Jazz’
Bethany Britten
16th Dec 2022
Bethany Britten - Bass
Charlotte Barrand - Sax & Flute
Hannah Dactyl - Drums & Cymbals
Juliana Antoniol Sian - Piano
Na'amah Cheiban - Vocals & Guitar
Francesca Parussini - Piano, Sax, Flute
"Women In Jazz (WIJ) is an organization that advocates for and organizes events that promote and foster the development of female jazz musicians in Aotearoa. Women are disproportionately represented to men in the jazz community due to a historical and current bias. We hope to generate change in the music scene in Aotearoa by creating safe spaces for women to fellowship and learn from each other. Our values are aroha, respect, growth, companionship, and sharing knowledge. The women that this collective was formed for are those who have an interest in jazz and those that desire a safe space to learn and to connect with other women. These women are underrepresented in the jazz community on both a local and a global scale. The group is open to those who have female experiences, this includes those who identify as women but also those in the LGBTQI+ community."
https://www.instagram.com/wijauckland
https://www.facebook.com/wijauckland
‘Women in Jazz’
Charlotte Barrand
16th Dec 2022
Charlotte Barrand - Sax & Flute
Bethany Britten - Bass
Hannah Dactyl - Drums & Cymbals
Juliana Antoniol Sian - Piano
Na'amah Cheiban - Vocals & Guitar
Francesca Parussini - Piano, Sax, Flute
"Women In Jazz (WIJ) is an organization that advocates for and organizes events that promote and foster the development of female jazz musicians in Aotearoa. Women are disproportionately represented to men in the jazz community due to a historical and current bias. We hope to generate change in the music scene in Aotearoa by creating safe spaces for women to fellowship and learn from each other. Our values are aroha, respect, growth, companionship, and sharing knowledge. The women that this collective was formed for are those who have an interest in jazz and those that desire a safe space to learn and to connect with other women. These women are underrepresented in the jazz community on both a local and a global scale. The group is open to those who have female experiences, this includes those who identify as women but also those in the LGBTQI+ community."
https://www.instagram.com/wijauckland
https://www.facebook.com/wijauckland
‘Women in Jazz’
Na’amah Cheiban & Francesca Parussini Duo
16th Dec 2022
Na'amah Cheiban - Vocals & Guitar
Francesca Parussini - Piano, Sax, Flute
"Women In Jazz (WIJ) is an organization that advocates for and organizes events that promote and foster the development of female jazz musicians in Aotearoa. Women are disproportionately represented to men in the jazz community due to a historical and current bias. We hope to generate change in the music scene in Aotearoa by creating safe spaces for women to fellowship and learn from each other. Our values are aroha, respect, growth, companionship, and sharing knowledge. The women that this collective was formed for are those who have an interest in jazz and those that desire a safe space to learn and to connect with other women. These women are underrepresented in the jazz community on both a local and a global scale. The group is open to those who have female experiences, this includes those who identify as women but also those in the LGBTQI+ community."
https://www.instagram.com/wijauckland
https://www.facebook.com/wijauckland
GRG67
1st June 2022
Roger Manins - Tenor Saxophone
Michael Howell - Guitar
Mostyn Cole - Bass
Tristan Deck - Drums & Cymbals
"GRG67 is a BAND. They have been together for 7 years and have released three albums, including The Thing, which won the 2019 NZ Tui awards for best jazz album. There is joy in their music, virtuosity when needed, quirky tunes, empathy and spontaneity. Their band sound is unique and they know how to connect with an audience. They must be heard by all!"
www.grg67.bandcamp.com
Carnivorous Plant Society
25th May 2022
Finn Scholes - Trumpet, Keys, Vibraphone
Cass Basil - Bass
Tam Scholes - Guitar
Siobhanne Thompson - Violin, Vibes
Chris O’Connor - Drums & Cymbals
"Carnivorous Plant Society tell stories guaranteed to melt your mind in the most pleasurable way.
Mexican mariachi mixes with spaghetti western; futuristic sci-fi blends with bizarre, spine-chilling nuances drawn from Stephen King novels.
Led by musician and animator Finn Scholes, they coax life from an astounding array of instruments - trumpets, violin, vibraphone, tuba, guitar, synthesizers, keyboards, bass, drums, the odd vocal and even some whistling."
Leilani
19th May 2022
Helen Pahulu - Voice
Josephine Faiva - Trumpet
Francesca Parussini- Tenor Saxophone
Charlotte Barrand - Alto Saxophone
Michael Nash - Piano
Mark Bulos - Guitar
Hank Trenton - Bass
George Brajkovich- Drums & Cymbals / Percussion
"Originating from Polynesia, the name Leilani means flower garland of the heavens. Paying homage to her Pasifika heritage and upbringing in the diaspora, Leilani is a group led by Helen Pahulu. Leilani will feature a ménage of original comps, songs of the Pacific, and standards. Accompanied by an amazing line up of Kiwi musicians.""
Elisa
19th May 2022
Rachel Clarke - Vocals
Alex Pipes - Guitar
Nat Hathaway - Bass
John Murray - Drums & Cymbals
"Elisa is an upcoming local muso, developing her craft in the Tāmaki Makaurau music scene. As a jazz graduate, she has curated a sound that takes from many artists from various different genres, in and outside of jazz. Acts such as Alice phoebe Lou and the beths are clear influences in her music. Her band features a group of fantastic musicians who are all growing their craft in the local music scene. "
Jonathan Crayford & Chris O'Connor
12th May 2022
Jonathan Crayford - Keys
Chris O'Connor - Drums & Cymbals
"Jonathan Crayford is an award winning pianist, multi-instrumentalist and critically-acclaimed composer from New Zealand. As a musician in New York he has worked with Kurt Rosenwinkel, David Binney, Mambo Macoco, Groove Collective and in Europe with David Murray, Tony Allen, Questlove, Macy Gray, Bobby Carcasses (Cuba) and many others internationally. As a film composer he has scored numerous feature films, winning industry awards. His latest trio of albums gained critical acclaim with East West Moon receiving the 2017 Tui Award for Best Jazz album"
https://www.jonathancrayford.com
"Chris O'Connor is well established as one of New Zealand’s most versatile musicians and is sought after as a drummer and composer. Chris regularly performs in Auckland’s improvisation/sound-art music scene, collaborates with established Kiwi music pop icons and teaches music at both UNITEC and Auckland University. Chris is a member of The Phoenix Foundation. Chris has also worked with acclaimed artists such as, Steve Lacy, Marilyn Crispel, Tami Neilson, Jeffrey Henderson, Neil Finn, Jonathan Crayford, Nadia Reid, Richard Nunns, Trinity Roots, Leila Adu, Andrew Keoghan, Golden Horse, Rick Bryant, Tim Finn, to name a few"
http://musicworkings.weebly.com
Pan Moana Group
4th May 2022
Larsen Winiata Tito-Taylor - Alto Sax, Tāonga Puōro
Riki Gooch - Drums & Cymbals
Navākatoa Tekela-Pule - Synths Abigail
Aroha Jensen - Tāonga Puōro, Percussion
Seb Soto - Trutuka, Alto Sax
Eamon Edmundson-Wells - Double Bass.
"Pan Moana Group consists of eight sonic voyagers from various points of origin across the Moana spanning different timelines, finding rooting in this lifetime in Aotearoa and expressing from the creative soul present here. Pan Moana Group performance reflects from the timeless/infinite qualities of Pūoro, indigenous thought and native expression and allows free flowing dialogue to emerge from our established relational spaces while engaging with contemporary tools of expression and awareness of their respective whakapapa in relation to our own journeys of sonic exploration."
https://www.noarecordsnz.com
https://noarecords.bandcamp.com
'Flightless Birds' performing 'The Punisher' composed by Benjamin Sinclair.
Callum Passells - Alto Sax
Benjamin Sinclair - Tenor Sax
Tom Dennison - Bass
Adam Tobeck - Drums & Cymbals
”Bebop in the 1940s and 50s, pioneered by Charlie "Bird" Parker, was in many ways the pinnacle of African American artistic expression; both cerebral and with great heart and joy, jazz reached new heights of artistry, musicianship, and countercultural significance. The black experience has an apt metaphor in Bird, whose genius has soared high on the winds of history, outpaced adversity and the march of time, and migrated around the globe.
Well, down here in New Zealand most of our birds don't fly. But we do our best.
Inspired by his study in New York City with Bill McHenry, the birds singing around his bedroom, and the beautiful and unique musical culture in Auckland, New Zealand, Callum Passells is excited to present a brand new quartet, FLIGHTLESS BIRDS, brimming with original music. At 151 the band will give their very own personal, earthy, free-roaming yet permanently grounded iteration of last century's greatest folk tradition. Don't miss it!”