The return of the 'Kid

Attention! "Public Sevice Broadcasting" - "after all what I want isn't all as easy as all that" "But the Lady is not for Turning" "Trains from Birmingham, Brisol and afar bring a 1000 bags of mail from the north" "I can't cant go on you know, it's the end this time"  Great quotes from vintage Brttish BBC propaganda sources are mixed into techno and represented as a soundbite sound track of the 20th Century.  This album has been turning heads lately, especially the track 'Spitfire' which comes with a pretty nifty video - Tonite the Kid features tracks from the new album Inform, Entertain, Educate (check the video below).

We also check out new music from Rattle Jazz and have a interview with Ruben Bradley about his wonderful MANTIS project (read more about the MANTIS Project below ....

See you at 7.30 - http://grooveradio.blogspot.co.nz/

MANTIS the live project will be performed at the Wellington Jazz Festival: Saturday 8 June 2013, 3pm - The Opera House

Click here for details http://jazzfestival.co.nz/shows/mantis-the-music-of-drew-menzies/

Rueben Bradley's MANTIS

Jazz and classical double-bassist Drew Menzies flew under the radar in life. Social media had yet to flourish and self-promotion was not in his nature.  Besides, says drummer and composer Reuben Bradley, ''he was the sort of guy who practised eight hours a day''.

He left New Zealand after he graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree to study for a master of music at Pennsylvania State University.
He played in the United States with classical and jazz orchestras and, in New Zealand, with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and others. He taught at Pennsylvania State University and as a guest lecturer in Wellington. He inspired. But at the age of 31, in 2007, at the top of his game, he died in the US.

Bradley, 35, saw him as one of New Zealand's premier double bass players, as an inspiration and a mate. He is in the final stages of arranging, recording and releasing a disc of Menzies' music for string quartet and jazz quartet, some of it discovered in Menzies' parents' Wellington home after his death.

Mantis: The Music of Drew Menzies, is being made with funding from Creative New Zealand.
Bradley's first disc, Resonator, won the Tui Jazz Album of the Year in 2011.

Mantis features the finest and most appropriate practitioners Bradley could corral - John Psathas (who taught Menzies in Wellington), the New Zealand String Quartet, Roger Manins (saxophone), Colin Hemmingsen, James Illingworth (piano, and a close friend of Menzies) and expatriate New Zealand Matt Penman, a bassist based in the US and a member of the San Francisco Jazz Collective. Bradley plays drums.

Penman, says Bradley, is ''the most fantastic double bass player there is'', but he was still ''the long shot'' in the lineup.

''The problem was who was going to play the bass. That was Drew's job.
''We played together a lot. You sit around afterwards and have a glass of wine and you don't say, 'Wow, that was great'. You don't do that as a musician.

''Working on the project has been cathartic. I feel as if I'm doing something really good for a mate.
''What's been really cool is to feel there's some really strong part of him still going.

''The music's still going and let's bring some recognition to his music. It's also a thank you to him for encouraging me and inspiring me.''

Bradley has spent a year on Mantis, although he has still managed teaching commitments at Scots College and the New Zealand School of Music and the occasional gig.
Bradley's own career has shades of Menzies' career. A few years ago, he contemplated study and a life in New York, encouraged by Menzies. In 2007, the year Menzies died, he caught up with him, and was accepted by two colleges to complete a master's degree, ''but you had to have $200,000 in a bank account before you even got a visa''. He abandoned the New York study idea, but took lessons with jazz great Barry Altschul. ''New York is really tough. He's 70 and a master, and does a gig once every two or three months. New York is saturated. I came back impatient to get into composition.''

Ad Feedback Resonator evolved from his New York experience. The subsequent Tui Award ''helped me get exposure and more performances'' and it established his credentials with Creative New Zealand for the Mantis project.
Mantis can be ordered from Bradley at reuben@reubenbradley.com or go to www.rattle.co.nz

The profits from the album will go to the Drew Menzies Memorial Scholarship, initially set up by Menzies' parents, to enable talented young bass players to receive intensive tuition from New Zealand Symphony Orchestra members at a week-long teaching camp held annually in Martinborough.

MANTIS the live project will be performed at the Wellington Jazz Festival: Saturday 8 June 2013, 3pm - The Opera House  

Click here for details http://jazzfestival.co.nz/shows/mantis-the-music-of-drew-menzies

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Also read more about the latest Rattle Releases on the Kid's site plus book reports etc at  http://adventuresofthecoffeebarkid.blogspot.co.nz/



The CoffeeBar Kid interviews Ali Harper

Click here to listen to the interview: http://coffeebarkid1.podomatic.com/entry/2013-05-11T01_41_02-07_00

One Show! Old St Pauls, Thorndon - 7.30 Tonight - Don't miss out!

Interview - Raybon Kan

The CoffeeBar Kid had a chat with veteren (and NOT just another Chinese) Comedian Raybon Kan.

 

Click here to listen to the interview: http://tim-gruar.podomatic.com/entry/2013-05-08T04_07_13-07_00.

He's playing at Floxglove from 7 -11 May (7.00 Book at www.Ticketek.co.nz)

How do you fix a fixation? How do you cure a curiosity? How hard should you suck for success? In this all-new show, Raybon plugs his finger into the false dichotomy, and whacks his lyrical. Remember, an apology a day keeps the dogma away. Expect to expectorate.

Best Comedian, Metro Reader’s Poll (1999, 2005)

Best Comedian, North & South (1999)

“The thinking woman’s comedian… Must-see, nerve-wrenching, white-knuckle comedy” Auckland Scene

http://www.comedyfestival.co.nz/

Saul Bass' 93rd Birthday

New Delhi: Google on Wednesday paid tribute to American graphic designer and Hollywood filmmaker Saul Bass on his 93rd birthday with an elaborate video sequence doodle showcasing some of the best works from his prolific career.

The 1 minute 20 seconds video is a mix of some of the Saul Bass’ best works set in sequence to the tunes of Unsquare Dance, a musical piece written by the American jazz composer Dave Brubeck.


Born on May 08, 1920, in the Bronx, New York, United States to Eastern European Jewish immigrant parents, Saul Bass became widely known in Hollywood after creating the title sequence for Otto Preminger's 'The Man with the Golden Arm' in 1955.

During his 40-year career, Bass worked for some of Hollywood's most prominent filmmakers, including Alfred Hitchcock, Otto Preminger, Billy Wilder, Stanley Kubrick and Martin Scorsese. Bass also designed some of the most iconic corporate logos in North America, including the AT&T "bell" logo in 1969, as well as AT&T's "globe" logo in 1983 after the breakup of the Bell System.

Watch this Space!!!!

To promote New Zealand Music Month Groove 107.7FM will be giving away a ticket to an upcoming show. Stay tuned (online through the Groove player) for more details and keep checking this page for updates.

In the mean time here's a few gigs you might be interested in, prepared especially for the NZ Music Month. 


3/05/2013 The Small Sounds Orchestra Ft Ms Lisa Tomlins The Small Sounds Orchestra, Lisa Tomlins Portlander Bar & Grill http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2013/the-small-sounds-orchestra-ft-ms-lisa-tomlins3/wellington

5/05/2013 The Troubles The Troubles Meow http://www.mukuna.co.nz/auckland/central/gig75761.htm

Sundays with the sentimental sound system Thane Kirby & Dave Hull Chapel Bar and Bistro http://www.mukuna.co.nz/auckland/central/gig79193.htm


9/05/2013 Matt Langley & Band - Album Release and Tour Darren Watson Mighty Mighty http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2013/matt-langley-band-album-release-and-tour/dunedin


Ballads & Badlands Tour - Nadia Reid & Luckless The Darkroom http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/concerts-gig-guide/events/new-zealand/page/37


11/05/2013 Ali Harper Naughty & Nice Actor Ali Harper Old St Pauls http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2013/ali-harper-naughty-nice/wellington


17/05/2013 The Lark Ascending NZSO Michael Fowler Centre http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2013/the-lark-ascending/wellington

NZ Music Month 2013: It's Here

It's the first day of May – that means NZ Music Month 2013 begins. Thirty-one days of music across our clubs, libraries, airwaves, screens of all sizes, schools, parks, and theaters starts today.

NZ Music Month Manager Simon Woods says "There is a wonderful array of music events across the country this May, celebrating our music and our music makers. After all, NZ Music Month is a cultural celebration."

Celebrations are kicking off in both islands today. At noon on the steps of the Auckland Central Library, Hon Nikki Kaye will officially launch the event, followed by students from the East Tamaki School Ukulele Band and Sistema Aotearoa players performing,

including their version of the single 'Come On Home' by Titanium – who will also be in attendance. Additionally performing is Waimarie Smith with her Hook, Line & Singalong winning song 'Paradise'.

From 7:00pm at the Christchurch Central Library, the Christchurch City Council are hosting a free show to launch their programme of events.

The Eastern, just home from their Australian tour, perform alongside Katie Thompson and Luckless.

There are other events up and down the country – check out your favourite radio station, gig guide and local papers for news about what is happening in your area!

Never Forget!

I've just returned from my first ANZAC day dawn ceremony at Wellington's cenotaph. What struck me most was the number and range of ages. The sheer numbers who'd turned out. They like me were not there as cynical pacifists, as I once was about this event. No. We were there not to honour but to thank and acknowledge all the service people who'd worked on on behalf to somehow try to make the worl...d safer and more tolerable. As wars continue. Conflicts continue to erupt. As disgruntled and passionate people choose violence to get their message accross, I wonder why they havn't come to something like this. Perhaps they might put aside their weapons and think about other ways to resolve their issues. After all wars, violence, conflict of any kind is started by people who are impatient to get their way, in spite of understanding the other side's view. What I noticed most about today's ANZAC commemoration was the silent plea of every attendee for peace and resolution. So thank you all soldiers, peace keepers and warriors. As I was reminded in the speeches, you were just ordinary people, like myself. And if you were brave enough to go so far, sacrifice your very lives to bring resolution to conflicts the least I can do is show a little tolerance. Never forget. Learn from history.

And speaking of history, I urge you to read it.  A good example, and fitting today is Jane Tolerton's book "An Awesully Big Adventure"  Click here to read the Groove Book Report.

GROOVE NOT CURRENTLY BROADCASTING ON 107.7FM

Groove is not currently broadcasting on 107.7FM and may not re-commence broadcast.
You may have noticed that recently our FM signal has not been as strong as in the past. Since the property managers at our transmission site changed, we have not been allowed up to the site to perform maintenance on the transmitter until a new agreement was signed. Unfortunately it has taken 8 months for the agreement to come through and with it increased costs and other conditions that we can no longer justify.

We are still streaming online on this website and via the free Tunein and NZ Radio apps for mobile devices and listenership via the Internet in various ways is growing. Please continue to listen via these channels (we recommend downloading one of the free apps if you haven't already). We will continue to stream live as long as we can find some sponsorship. Of course you can help by donating or subscribing on the right.

If you would like to sponsor the station in general, or the stream in particular, please contact us (details below right).

Check back here for more info over the next days and weeks but in the meantime I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of our fantastic listeners, advertisers, and the Groove team for all the support over the 12 years we've been on air and 1.5 Million songs we've played (1 504 947 tonight by my calculation).

People assume that radio stations get money automatically from somewhere (actually it's generally overseas parent companies) but although we were just about the last real local Wellington station left, we didn't get any funding from NZ on-air, the council, the government or any other magical source. There hasn't really been enough to go around in this landscape of changing media and challenging business. Ironic, or fitting perhaps, that it is a week after the demise of what some would see as the sister media entity, in print; the fantastic Capital Times. Both treasured, just not enough businesses around with spare treasure to support them.

Thanks again and stay Grooving.

Groovemiester (Dean).

2013 Wellington Jazz Festival on Cuba (6-8 June) is not too far away so it’s time we started taking a closer look at the programme.

Let's take a looke at two upcoming acts: profiling Chucho Valdés and MANTIS: The Music of Drew Menzies,

  Hailed as “the dean of Latin jazz” and “one of the world’s great virtuosic pianists” by The New York Times, multi-Grammy Award winner Chucho Valdés has recorded over 80 CDs during his illustrious career, performed in such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Centre and the Hollywood Bowl, and joined countless jazz masters on stage - including Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis and Chick Corea.


Born in 1941 in Havana, Cuba, Valdés began his musical life at home under the direction of his parents. His mother Pilar Rodríguez was a singer and piano teacher and his father, the great Bebo Valdés. At three years old, Valdés could already play the melodies he heard on the radio by ear using both hands in any key.

Valdés' headline WJF act with the Afro-Cuban Messengers is his first ever New Zealand performance – “a once in a lifetime opportunity for Kiwi audiences” says WJF Artistic Director Shelagh Magadza. “Chucho Valdés is unique in that he has invented his own special sound. He’s one of those granddaddies of jazz – I'm really looking forward to seeing him perform.”

Book tickets to see Chucho Valdés and the Afro-Cuban Messengers


Find out more about Chucho Valdés on his website.

      The WJF performance of MANTIS: The Music of Drew Menzies is not just an album launch – it’s the culmination of years of hard work and collaboration in celebration of one of New Zealand's best jazz and classical double bassists: Drew Menzies (1976-2007).

Jazz Notes caught up with MANTIS drummer and arranger Reuben Bradley recently to get a low-down on the project.

“MANTIS was one of Drew’s nicknames”, says Reuben. “He had these long gangly limbs and powerful fingers – and he wrapped himself around the double pass like a contortionist! We couldn’t resist giving the album his name.”

Drew stood out for other reasons too. His ability to perform both jazz and classical double bass to a very high level and his flair for composition drew enormous respect, not least from John Psathas who worked on the string arrangements for the album and introduced the New Zealand String Quartet to the mix.

The project took life after Reuben was handed a mountain of manuscripts bought back from Drew’s home in the US by his parents. “I kept saying to myself: someone's got to do something for Drew’s music,” says Reuben. “Gradually it dawned on me that that someone was me.” Picking through the many pages of Drew's music, Reuben began to collate a list of pieces that he felt truly summed up Drew’s sound, finally settling on the nine pieces you can hear in the MANTIS album.

Although some of Drew’s compositions were recorded, unfortunately those tracks were lost post-production. The MANTIS album is the only known recording of these manuscripts and the concert is the first time the music will be played live in its entirety.

Book tickets to see MANTIS: The Music of Drew Menzies

Purchase the MANTIS album online (proceeds go to the 'Drew Menzies Memorial Scholarship for young Double Bass players')

Find out more about MANTIS: The Music of Drew Menzies on Reuben Bradley’s website

    Keep in the loop

Catch up on all the latest Wellington Jazz Festival news, reviews and places to groove...Find out more at jazzfestival.co.nz

Tonite on the Adventures of the CoffeeBar Kid - Get a 'Rattle' on

We feature new works by Reuben Bradley, Omar Carmenates, Dave Lisik, Phil Broadhurst  and Roger Fox.  These fine albums are all new works from the wonderful Rattle Records .  Go to the CoffeeBar Kid's page to read the liner notes and learn more.  See you from 7.30PM only on Groove 107.7FM (and www.groovefm.co.nz)


 

 

Tonite on the Adventures of the CoffeeBar Kid - The Vatican Diaries (our Book Report)

We check out John Thavis' new book on the inner workings of the Vatican and the Papcy - see more here (http://adventuresofthecoffeebarkid.blogspot.co.nz/

Also a maestrom and melengerie of music and news - all from 8.00PM tonite see you there!

This Week on the Adventures of the CoffeeBar Kid !

This week we checkout new music from the recent French Film Festival, Nathan Haines and do a wrap up from WOMAD, Taranaki 2013.  Plus We're giving away tickets to Robert Plant in Wellington!

Groove is giving away tickets to:
Robert Plant presents Sensational Space Shifters, Wellington, 9 April 2013

Tune in to The Adventures of the CoffeeBar Kid - Thursday Night from 8.00PM To win!

Chugg Entertainment are thrilled to confirm that rock legend Robert Plant will also be performing a series of headline shows across Australia and in New Zealand with his band the Sensational Space Shifters.

Two New Zealand shows will follow his Australian shows, firstly at Wellington’s TSB Bank Arena on Tuesday 9th

go to http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2013/robert-plant-presents-sensational-shapeshifters/wellington for all thedetails. 

Tune in from the special time of 8.00 This Thursday!

#WOMAD NZ