| Northern Jazz Society Whangarei New Zealand January 2002 The Northern Jazz Society, Incorporated, was formed in 1985, by a group of dedicated jazz enthusiasts, its goals, to provide top quality jazz and blues music to the citizens of Whangarei and Northland and to assist young jazz musicians with support, tuition and finance. The Society has a current membership of 120. Club days are held on the first Sunday of each month at the Northland Club Porowini Ave Whangarei. Out of town jazz and blues bands are invited to play. Local musicians also play a big part in entertaining at club days. The annual subscription to become a member of the Society is NZ$22.00 double and $NZ12.00 for single membership. Entry fee on club days is NZ$7.00 for members and $NZ10.00 for non members. A monthly newsletter is sent to all financial members. The Society also stages the very popular annual Whangarei Jazz and Blues Festival, the ninth to be held this year, on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th October. Up to 34 bands will play at six venues, mainly restaurants and bars and some outside locations. Last year, an overseas musician was invited to the Festival and this was a first for the Northern Jazz Society. Steamboat Willie from New Orleans was the musician and because of his popularity, he has been invited back again this year. The Wards Music Big Band was formed in 1991, the idea coming from club member and bass player Jim Crawford who thought that there were enough musicians in Whangarei to form such a band. An offer of sponsorship from Wards Music Store was accepted and the band was underway. Eric Parker, Manager of Wards Music, is currently in his 4th year as President of the Northern Jazz Society. Conductor Jim McMullen has brought the band up to a high standard and its performances at festivals, corporate functions and club events is always received with enthusiasm. The band has started rehearsing for the next Bay of Islands Jazz Festival to be held at Paihia on 11th, 12th and 13th August this year. For more information as to how you can join the Northern Jazz Society or how your organisation can hire the Wards Music Big Band,mail wardsmusic@xtra.co.nz Keep smiling - The Northern Jazz Society and the Wards Music Big Band Team. |
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