The Festival is Over, but the Jazz Goes On

Jazz in Martinborough at Kokomai
 
Jazz in Martinborough continues to bring quality jazz to our vibrant wine village with two more jazz concerts, this time as part of the Kokomai Creative Festival “says Music Director Ted Preston.  “This will give patrons an opportunity to hear one of New Zealand’s premier jazz horn players Geoff Culverwell and his band, and to once again enjoy the superb sounds of manouche guitar with the return of La Petite Manouche.”

“Both performances are at The Village Café. You can get tickets through our website (www.jazzinmartinborough.co.nz), the Kokomai website (kokomai.co.nz), from Dash Tickets (www.dashtickets.co.nz) or at the iSite.”

Geoff Culverwell is one of New Zealand’s premier horn players, playing sessions from big band lead to pop and jazz recording.  He has toured with a host of international acts. and headlined on his own behalf, gigging at prestigious overseas venues, including Ronnie Scott’s in London.  

Ted adds: “we are delighted to have such a classy musician playing here in Martinborough.  And he is bringing distinguished pianist Michal Martyniuk with him.”  Michal’s dynamic style (whether he’s playing latin, funk or swing) has seen him in demand throughout Europe and more recently in Australasia.

Geoff has been able to put together a classy group: Alex Bleakly on double bass, Des Melon on drums, Jim Perkins playing guitar and Roni Moe-Perkins on vocals.

“We are very happy to have Robbie and Burke back in Martinborough,” says Ted.  “Festival friends La Petite Manouche have proven popular at previous Jazz in Martinborough festivals, overflowing Circus Cinema on the Saturday of the 2012 festival with a large crowd of very appreciative patrons.”

Formed around 2008, and following on from their very successful first album (Legacy) that they describe as “a sort of tribute to Django Reinhardt. For the Kokomai gig in Martinborough Robbie and Burke are joined by percussionists Tim Sellars and Henare Kaa.