Imagine stepping back in time to a speakeasy club. A smoky, dimly lit room where the anticipation is electric but the vibe is laid-back and relaxed.
From the stage a jazz swing and blues band begins to play, their instruments blending seamlessly in a harmonious symphony of sound. The rhythm section, with its upright bass and snare drums, lays down a groove that’s impossible to resist, while the saxophone punctuates the air with soulful notes.
Welcome to an evening of superb swing jazz and blues brought to you by the band that is April’s Fools. “We’re absolutely rapt to be bringing this ultra-talented and experienced combo to the festival,” said Music Director Lee Quayle. “Whenever, and wherever this group of musicians have played reviewers have to search the thesaurus for new superlatives to describe the show, and audiences leave reluctantly, but happy.”
April’s Fools will be playing at Jazz in Martinborough on Friday 5 September as the opening of the
ticketed festival gigs to be held in the Town Hall.
The Saturday gig features the Royal New Zealand Airforce Jazz Orchestra.
April Phillips – Vocals is a professional and recorded jazz and blues singer. Reviewers have described her as having a “voice of honey”and she’s been compared to Ella Fitzgerald and Diana Krall. She has performed on screen and stage in New Zealand and overseas and her shows have featured at jazz clubs and festivals around the world.
Greg Crayford – Drums has over thirty years professional experience as a musician. Greg’s group Pleasure Point has various incarnations who have played at most of NZ’s national and international jazz festivals. He is also a current or past member of dozens of local bands; has played on radio and tv shows and accompanied overseas artists.
Zak Dikvert – Guitar brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the band. He has been playing jazz guitar professionally for more than 25 year.
He has performed with his own jazz band The Zak Pak (including at Jazz in Martinborough) and lent his guitar talent and vocals to many local jazz and swing bands.
Nicholas Baucke-Maunsell – Saxophone is an accomplished saxophonist, composer and educator. He has performed extensively across Aotearoa and internationally including the Rodger Fox Big Band.
He also has his own combo, the Nicholas Baucke-Maunsell Quartet.
Miles Crayford – Pianist is a third-generation pianist from the multi-talented Crayford family. He draws on both Jazz and Latin-Jazz influences and has spent some time in South America performing.
Rory Macartney – Bass from Tauranga and born to a musical family, Rory graduated from Victoria University of Wellington’s NZ School of Music. Post studies he moved to London for several years, continuing to perform, study and work as a sound engineer including at Abbey Road studios. Since returning to New Zealand, Rory has created a name for himself as one of the most versatile professional bass players.
Tickets from iTicket or through the festival website https://jazzinmartinborough.co.nz/
