New Orleans orchestra headlines Wellington Jazz Festival

Wellington Jazz Festival
June 3 - 7

In a New Zealand first, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra will open the Wellington Jazz Festival next month with a special one-off concert that will celebrate the defiant spirit of New Orleans and star multiple Grammy Award-winning vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater and bandleader Irvin Mayfield.

The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra made history when it symbolically reopened New Orleans with a concert in the iconic Christ Church Cathedral, the first major cultural event inside the city after 2005’s Hurricane Katrina. They played a piece called All the Saints, written by Mayfield, who lost his father, Irvin Mayfield Sr, in the disaster. Katrina caused 1800 deaths and an estimated $US180 billion in property damage.

Wellington Jazz Festival artistic director Shelagh Magadza said: “New Orleans is the spiritual home of jazz, so it is an incredible honour to welcome its renowned jazz orchestra to perform for Kiwi audiences. As New Zealanders, we have together experienced the tragedy of the Christchurch earthquakes; I think we do in some ways share a special bond with cities like New Orleans. Ten years since the disaster, this concert will be full of that joyful Creole spirit and a sense of celebration. It’s a great opportunity for us to recognise the resilience of people and the extraordinary power of music.”

This presentation of NOJO in New Zealand is supported by the embassy of the United States. US Ambassador to New Zealand Mark Gilbert said: “I think of jazz as America’s original music that resonates around the world. To me it is an expression of freedom and hope, and a reflection of our diversity. Jazz has a proud tradition of bringing people together and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra will certainly do so with its renowned energetic and uplifting performances. “

Other international headliners include award-winning saxophonist Céline Bonacina and her trio from France, who as a female baritone player is a rare find on the jazz circuit; trend-setting young guitar prodigy Reinier Bass from Holland; and Norwegian piano virtuoso Tord Gustaven, famous for his delicate, gospel-inspired playing. Transtasman super-group the Future Ensemble led by Ross McHenry features Wellingtonian jazz men Myele Manzanza and Adam Page.

Ms Magadza believes the festival is unique. “With 100 performances packed into five days, and more than 30 bars and restaurants involved, Wellington will be the place to be in the second week of June. From Dee Dee Bridgewater and Irvin Mayfield opening the festival on June 4 with the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, to the unique new collaboration between concert pianist Michael Houston and festival favourite Rodger Fox, there really will be something for everyone.” 

2015 Wellington Jazz Festival headliners include:

Thursday 4 June 8pm: Dee Dee Bridgewater, Irvin Mayfield and New Orleans Jazz Orchestra – USA

Friday 5 June 6pm: Reinier Baas and The Socially Relevant Jazz Ensemble – Holland

Friday 5 June 9pm: Ross McHenry’s Future Ensemble – Australia/NZ

Saturday 6 June 7.30pm: Céline Bonacina – France

Sunday 7 June 3pm: Houstoun and Fox – New Zealand

Sunday 7 June 6pm: Tord Gustavsen Quartet - Norway

www.jazzfestival.co.nz,