EVENT: Six on Cuba

Orchestra Wellington is bringing music back to the inner city through a creative partnership with CubaDupa organisers and WellingtonNZ, which will see twenty ensembles play over one hundred events in fifteen venues.

Musicians from Orchestra Wellington have been rehearsing in lockdown to perform in cafes, restaurants and bars at Classical on Cuba on the 27th and 28th June, in a magical interactive playground of delight, sound and taste.

The intention behind the event is to support the Cuba Street precinct bars and restaurants to bring intimate live classical music to the ears of patrons seated at their tables. The orchestra will be divided into small chamber music groups to make up twenty ensembles including string quartets, brass trios, a percussion quintet, a harp and trombone duo, flute and marimba duo and will feature a percussion trio who will deliver a lively family show in the afternoon.

Voices New Zealand are presenting a six-piece vocal ensemble called “Six on Cuba”. The hosting venues will include some of the Cuba Precinct’s most iconic establishments, including San Fran, Laundry Bar, the Rogue & Vagabond, Hotel Bristol, Fortune Favours, Eva Beva, 1154 Pastaria and {Suite} Gallery. Stay up to date over on our their Classical on Cuba Facebook page.

Tickets are $5 per show and go on sale Tuesday 9th June.
They can be purchased through Orchestra Wellington or go here on the CubaDupa website.

All proceeds go towards participating venues.  Classical on Cuba will happen on: Saturday 27th June from 1:00pm Sunday 28th June from 12:00pm 

https://www.cubadupa.co.nz/classicaloncuba/

The Jac wins a Tui with "Tui". Now The Full Album, A Gathering, is here!

Leading New Zealand 8-piece ensemble The Jac is marking a decade of making music together, with their third release "A Gathering''.

Featuring material from their 2017 collaboration with Korean quartet Black String, plus a swathe of brand new original compositions, the album encapsulates a milestone in their sound. Recorded at Roundhead Studios in Auckland, NZ, it is a beautifully produced illustration of a band at the height of its powers; showcasing their intricate and immersive compositions; tight ensemble playing, and assertive, individual improvising voices. 

The track "Tui" won the NZ Music Award for Best Jazz Composition 2020; and two of the tracks from the album, “Beyond the Palace” and “A Gathering” were nominated for the same award in 2018.

Since 2010 the 8-piece ensemble The Jac has been a leading voice in the New Zealand jazz scene, pushing a modern sound with their distinctive, through-composed compositions, tight ensemble playing and impressive live shows. 

Based in Wellington and drawing talent from Melbourne, Australia and Montreal, Canada, and boasting seven NZ Music Awards between them, the band brings together musicians from the jazz, classical and metal scenes.

http://www.jakebaxendale.com/the-jac/

2020’S BEST JAZZ ARTIST 

AND BEST JAZZ COMPOSITION WINNERS

Winners of the Recorded Music NZ Te Kaipuoro Tautito Toa|Best Jazz Artist and the APRA Best Jazz Composition.

Dixon Nacey was awarded Best Jazz Artist Tui for his 2019 album The Edge of Chaos, while Jake Baxendale received the APRA Best Jazz Composition award for his work ‘Tui’.

These awards would normally be celebrated at a ceremony as part of the Wellington Jazz Festival. Unfortunately, the festival was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so the winners were announced live on Radio New Zealand’s Music 101 this afternoon.

During a 27-year long career, Dixon Nacey has worked with some of the finest l