Another great Jazz Festival

The fifth of the New Zealand’s coolest village jazz festival, Jazz in Martinborough, will be held between Friday the 3rd and Sunday the 6th September.
“Once again the stars are coming to our festival and we have a great line up,” says Lee Quayle, festival publicist. Feature acts announced at the launch included Wellington Premier jazz band the David Feehan Band. “David is a master vocalist and musician who always brings together an ensemble of super musicians and vocalists,” says Lee. David is a vocal teacher, band leader and singer of some note who has performed around the world and around the country. He has released four albums and been recorded on many a top single.

“David will be bringing with him stunning vocalists Coco Favre and Dawn Elder, solo performers in their own right,” says Lee, “as well as an eight-piece band of talented musicians and vocalists.”

The festival will be opened by the lively and interesting Ol’ King Cole trio featuring Wellington’s Louis Thompson-Munn on piano. “Louis is a versitile performer who leads and plays in a range of bands, groups and combos across the Wellington jazz and music scene,” says Lee. He will be supported during the show by double bass player Robert “Bert Hendo” Henderson (also with the Shakes, see below) and Callum Allardice on guitar from the band The Jac.

Bringing a soulfulness to the show will be Louis Thompson-Munn collaborator, singer Stephanie Bishop. “Stephanie is a jazz, blues and soul singer with a unique and enduring sound,” adds Lee.

The other feature event at the festival will be from exciting and energetic Wellington Shake-‘Em-On-Downers. “The Shake-‘Em-On-Downers were so well received and so well liked at last year’s festival we just had to bring them back,” says Lee. “This year we have put them in the Martinborough Town Hall to accommodate their increasing popularity and notoriety. Another great night’s entertainment.

“And in, on, under and around our town we will have over 20 free gigs and performances to enliven the atmosphere and interest all tastes. The cafes and streets will be alive with the sights and sounds of jazz enough to move your feet, and maybe even your soul,” says Lee.