Stratford entrepreneur Bert van Veen is going all out for a big musical event at his third annual Jazz on the Lake concert on Sunday February 3.
The last one was ruined by bad weather, Bert and his co-host Monica Maritz have fingers crossed that this time the Hathaway House venue will be blessed.
He has booked two experienced bands that between them will deliver a wide range of high-quality entertainment, managed on the day by MC Bob Campbell, president Taranaki Jazz Club.
The Daniel Hayles Quartet, which opens the show, was put together specially for this event and will play from a menu covering standards, Brazilian and African rhythm, some hip-hop flavoured funk, deep groove a la Herbie Hancock and bebop tunes in the style of Charlie Parker and Bud Powell.
Daniel (piano) said: "We are all students at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington, studying for Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance. We have all played together in bands such as the Sam Manzanza Rhythm African Band, Tricky Sam and The Former Presidents Of Turkmenistan. Myself, Matthew and Michael have just finished first year at university, Myele his second. We have a special guest singer, Rachel Helms, originally from New Plymouth, who is studying for a Commerce Degree in Wellington."
Others in the lineup: Michael Crawford, alto and tenor sax, ex-Dunedin, was in a funk band called Retrophonic Funk Machine; Matthew Dal Din from Palmerston North on bass; on drums Myele Manzanza, son of the well-known Sam.
After the intermission, the lakeside stage will be reorganized to accommodate 15-18 musicians who comprise the Ritz Big Band.
Stewart Maunder, tenor sax player who is the band's co-leader with Robin Wellaway (alto sax), said the presentation will be anchored by 1940s style swing, featuring standards by the likes of Glen Miller and Duke Ellington.
The Ritz will have 5-6 saxes, three trumpets, 2-3 trombones, plus piano, bass, guitar and drums.
"You can expect things like In the Mood, American Patrol, Fly me to the Moon, Fever and Ain't Misbehavin'," said Stewart.
"Our excellent vocalist, Mike Gordon, will be handling the singing and we'll have Daniel Hayles on piano. It's a terrific lineup of young and older players and we produce a very good, tight sound. We're all pretty excited about the opportunity."
Gates open at 3pm and parking is unlimited. There are food and refreshments on site, but limited seating and shade and attendees are advised to bring their own.
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