Your Invitation to “Misbehave”

Jazz in Martinborough is back in the Town Hall in 2019 and we have some fabulous shows for you to experience!

“The Saturday night show this year features a tribute to the Great American Songbook from the fabulous, entertaining and exciting Zak Pack,” says Lee Quayle, Festival Music Director.

The Zak Pack is a five-piece jazz combo that have captivated audiences around New Zealand with their tight arrangements and smooth sound.  This show titled “Let’s Misbehave” is a tribute to the Great American Songbook, also known as the American Standards.

“This is a super collection of the most important and influential American popular songs and jazz standards from the early 20th century,” says band leader Zak Dikvert.

“This show featured in the Queenstown Jazz Festival for three consecutive years with great success and will have new and classic arrangements to the tunes that everyone is familiar with,”adds Zak.  The show is a toe-tapping night out that is not to be missed.

The Zak Pack features accomplished jazz guitarist and vocalist Zak Dikvert, pianist and composer Anita Schwabe, New Zealand bass-playing icon Nick Tipping, drummer extraordinaire Greg Crawford and festival local and saxophonist Alex Nyman.

Also “misbehavin’ “ with the band for this tribute are the superb Chris Fox on trombone and the characterful Lauren Armstrong as a guest vocalist.

Friday night at the Town Hall sees Jan Preston finally coming to the festival proper with her show 88 Pianos I Have Known.  “Pianist extraordinaire Jan Preston has played in Martinborough a few times over the years but with this show brings a new perspective to her music,” says Lee.

Projected images combine with unforgettable biographical stories, original songs and piano music, 

her trio) audiences will be tapping and clapping, and may leave never look at a piano quite the same way again.  “A great way to experience Jan’s wonderful piano playing, arrangements and entertaining personality,” adds Lee.

Jan Preston is known as Australia’s Queen of boogie piano. She is a magnetic live performer and astonishing piano player with a rich resonant voice. Her original songs, compositions and mastery of boogie-woogie captivate audiences at festivals and in concerts around the world.