Swing Into Christmas

The big band played its last gig for the year at the "Swing Into Christmas" event, an evening of music and dancing at the Old Library, Rust Ave, Whangarei. Lynda from Swing Dance Company B was there to lead the dancing and taught a good number of folk to do the Charleston. The evening was also Janelle's last performance after many years gigging with the big band on keys. We wish her and her partner the best in the land of OZ. Swing into Christmas was the first opportunity the band has had to play at the old library and it turned out to be a great venue. Watch out for the band at the Northern Jazz Society's Jazz Picnic first Sunday of February. 

Australia versus Austria Trumpet Battle

Check out this amazing video (courtesy of Herman Otto) of an all-star Austrian Big Band with James Morrison playing "Meet the Flintstones." Some of us saw Thomas Gansch (in the purple shirt) playing with Mnozil Brass in Auckland this year.

Christmas Concert

Big Band a hit at the Jazz Club

Sunday 2nd December saw the long awaited return of the big band to the Northern Jazz Society Club day at   the Whangarei RSA. The band played to a large audience of music lovers who showed their appreciation in the form of many positive comments and loud applause. The band played music ranging from swing standards such as Stardust to modern jazz composition such as James Morrison's Le Belleclaire Blues. Vocalists Tanya Maich and Brian Phillips delighted listeners with their performances. Soloists Don Durrant (tenor sax), Stephen Thorne (alto sax), Ian Mason (trombone), Grant Burns (filling in on trumpet) and Mike Vink (keys) added their panache to the afternoon's music.