Young musicians get their groove on

COOL CATS: Eddie Barnett (left), Reade Thompson-Trott, Oliver Mebus-Leckie, Jessica Dewhurst and Joe Boyce from the Rathkeale College senior school jazz band Sforzando on stage at the Martinborough Town Hall yesterday during the inaugural College Jazz Showcase Fresh Jam workshop.

A cadre of young jazz musicians from Wairarapa secondary schools were in full song at the College Jazz Showcase Fresh Jam workshop in Martinborough yesterday afternoon.

Event co-ordinator Bruce McMichael said 40 students from throughout the region took lessons at the Martinborough Town Hall workshop from some of the country's best tutors, and took the stage to test their talents and tunes.

The overall College Jazz Showcase Fresh Jam event was part of the third annual Jazz in Martinborough festival running this weekend and it was the first time a workshop was held ahead of the Fresh Jam performances.

Mr McMichael said bands at the workshop included Jazz Combo No1 and Jazz Combo No2 from St Matthew's Collegiate School, the Chanel College Jazz Band, the Kuranui College Jazz Band, the Macho Warriors jazz quartet Mojo big band, and Prop jazz combo from Wairarapa College, and Sforzando from Rathkeale College.

Circle of Fifths jazz combo from Tararua College were to play as part of the evening performance, he said.

Acclaimed staff of the New Zealand School of Music Jazz Programme led the workshop and included Kiwi jazz veteran Rodger Fox, who was also to play at the festival proper.

Mr McMichael said organisers were grateful to Kuranui College for helping host the event and providing instruments for use.