Whanganui champions International Jazz Day
Whanganui is hosting a celebration of jazz on International Jazz Day (30 April), with the help of a minor grant from the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO.
The Details
Jazz maestro Rodger Fox will direct a student workshop in the afternoon and bring an all-star lineup to town for the Gala Concert in the evening. Students from the workshop will be invited to perform in the evening concert.
Vocalist Manny Abrahams will fly in from Australia to add his voice to the celebrations, and local guitar legend Fred Loveridge will be playing in the band. New Zealand’s internationally renowned saxophonist Brian Smith is coming down from Auckland to showcase his talent. To add spice to the evening, Whanganui’s own Roots Provider will perform with Rodger Fox, adding jazz to their reggae beat.
Every year, on April 30, communities all over the world get together to ‘learn about jazz and its roots, future and impact; raise awareness of the need for intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding; and reinforce international cooperation and communication’. This is an opportunity to support an outstanding initiative dedicated to jazz music’s role in the conversation about making the world a better place – locally, nationally and internationally.
Date: 30 April
Time: 7pm
Venue: Prince Edward Auditorium, Whanganui Collegiate