Michael Houston: No, I won't! I won't (be improvising) because it'll all just stop and I'll melt into a little heap on the floor and Rodger will have to save the day.
Rodger and Michael
Photo: supplied
The upcoming Wellington Jazz Festival boast the usual riches you'd expect - top overseas artists like singer Dianne Reeves, guitarist Bill Frisell and drummer Dave Wecki, and some stellar local talent like Tammi Neilson and Jonathan Crayford.
But even those who're not in the know about jazz, the festival boasts two names will have have heard of. In fact they're probably two of anyone's top ten list of New Zealand musicians - trombonist and big band king, Rodger Fox, and classical pianist Michael Houstoun. Jazz and classical? they talk to Simon Morris about how it all works.
Classical piano prodigy and Cuba National Symphony Orchestra soloist, López-Nussa made a late switch to jazz and has never looked back. He will play the Wellington Jazz Festival with his trio, which includes his Father, Ruy. (11 June)
The one-off collaboration ‘Seoul Jazz’ will meld Black String’s electrifying play on Korean musical traditions with the cinematic sounds of award-winning NZ ensemble, The Jac. (Saturday 10 June).
Once described as “the Clark Kent of guitar”, Bill Frisell is joined by vocalist Petra Haden, Thomas Morgan (double bass) and Rudy Royston (drums) in his first ever NZ show on Wed 7 June at The Opera House.
Fusing jazz, Afro-beat and electronica, The Comet is Coming is the soundtrack to an imagined apocalypse, with members King Shabaka (Sons of Kemet, Melt Yourself Down), Danalogue and Betamax your cosmic guides. Saturday 10 June at The Opera House.
Experience the charisma and beauty of five-time Grammy Award-winner Dianne Reeves as she’s joined on stage by Peter Martin (piano), Romero Lubambo (guitar), Reginald Veal (double bass) and Terreon Gully (drums). Friday 9 June at The Opera House.
The Wellington Jazz Festival runs from 7-11 June and Bach Beat - Michael Houston & The Rodger Fox Big Band happens on Sunday the 11th of June at Wellington's Opera House.
