An Absolute Blast!

Jazz in Martinborough came to town over Father’s Day weekend last month and proved once again to be a huge hit with jazz and music lovers alike.

“We have celebrated our best ever festival,”says festival producer Ted Preston. “We sold out all three ticketed events, restaurants and cafes were busy, and every gig around town had happy crowds,” adds Ted.

Music Director Lee Quayle was excited about the atmosphere throughout the town.  “It was an absolute blast!” he says. “The feedback has been very positive.  We seem to have gotten the mix of popular jazz, trad jazz, Dixie jazz, gypsy jazz and entertainment just about right!”

Feature artists included festival patron and jazz legend Rodger Fox and his Funkbone Experience, featuring the super Erna Ferry on vocals, flautist and saxophonist Miho Wada and her jazz orchestra from Auckland, and the sultry, smooth Mary Watson and her band Noir.

Proceeds from the festival will go towards sponsoring up to five female college-age students to attend the New Zealand Jazz Workshops in January 2019.  These workshops bring together enthusiastic jazz students with top international guest artists and NZ’s leading jazz musicians and educators. Potential attendees have been identified with the assistance of Rodger Fox during Fresh Jam – College Jazz workshops and concert -held before the festival proper.

The festival had a huge range of help and support from throughout the community.  “We must say a huge thanks to all our supporters.  So many people gave support, as grants, in time, in effort or with goods,” adds Ted.  “As a group we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to everybody who helped create a wonderful event for Martinborough; and special thanks to our major sponsors TrustHouse, Rotary and Lions.”

“We will be back next year,” says Ted.  “This time in the Town Hall at the Waihinga Centre!”