Oscar Laven from Bonjour Swing. The band will be kicking off the Rotorua Jazz Club's monthly concerts for 2015. Photo / File
Oscar Laven from Bonjour Swing. The band will be kicking off the Rotorua Jazz Club's monthly concerts for 2015. Photo / File
Rotorua Jazz Club kick off their 2015 calendar with a revisit from Tauranga's Bonjour Swing this Sunday.
Club president Roger Crawford said they were a great band to open the year.
The quartet perform jazz-based material in the style of Reinhardt and Grappelli of Paris in the 1940s.
They've performedfor the club before and used to be regulars at Hennessy's (Irish Bar).
"They're a very clever band, it's a husband and wife and a couple of others. The lead singer [Robbie Laven] is very good on the guitar. He can play two flutes at the same time and I've seen him play washboard. But we don't know what they're going to do for us," Mr Crawford said.
The style is noted for fusing 1930s and 1940s swing standards with the passionate and flamboyant guitars of Western European Gypsies.
Doors open at 5pm, as does the bar. Hot meals will be available from 6.30pm and this year there is a new caterer. Mr Crawford said the event was open to the public as they try to increase membership or simply share a mutual love for jazz.
The Jazz Club has set its calendar for the first six months and there will be some good bands. "We try to get some good music in," Mr Crawford said.
Details What: Rotorua Jazz Club presents Bonjour Swing. When: Sunday, February 1, 5pm. Where: Arawa Park Racecourse. How much: Members $8, non-members $15.
