Winter Jazz Series at Auckland City Art Gallery Auditorium

By GRAHAM REID

In the early 80s the Art Gallery auditorium was home to some of the finest local jazz to be played in this city. The popular Sunday afternoon concerts offered a comfortable listening environment and such was the success of the series that people would turn up the week after the final concert in the expectation of more.

Oddly, these winter afternoon concerts ceased some years ago and their absence was a loss to musicians and listeners alike. This Sunday, however, the Auckland Jazz and Blues Club inaugurates a new series which will see 35 well established musicians perform in eight concerts.

This Sunday at 2pm the series is launched by the Mike Walker Quartet (which features Canadian saxophonist Jim Brenan) with singer Caitlin Smith. On August 3 drummer Barry Young brings in his band Equinox for be-bop, Latin jazz and original material. The band features vibes player John Bell, altoist Stephen Morton-Jones and bassist Kirby Malcolm.

The following week it is Alan Brown's soul-funk and standards outfit Grand Central Band led by Hammond organ player Brown with singer Chris Melville.

On August 17 singer/pianist Julie Mason will perform standards and originals with trumpeter Murray Tanner (Alberto Santarelli on bass, drummer Frank Gibson) and on August 24 it will be a group featuring George Chisholm (trumpeter, but for this concert at piano), saxophonist Brian Smith back from playing in Britain, trumpeter Peter Barwick and the rhythm section of drummer Young and bassist Peter Thornley.

On August 31 it will be Go Blow led by saxophonist Chris Watts with guitarist Alan Quennell, bassist Peter Scott and drummer Jason Orme.

September 7 sees two trios: the first led by pianist Dan Papirany, the other by guitarist Graeme Webb and each will feature guest musicians.

The final concert in the series is on September 14 when the Phil Broadhurst Quintet appears. It will feature original material by pianist Broadhurst and the band includes trumpeter Kim Paterson, tenor saxophonist Cam Allen, bassist Santarelli and drummer Gibson.

And that's it: eight Sunday afternoon concerts to stave off the winter chills and have you home in time for soup by the fire.

* Sundays, 2pm