“World Class Jazz” at Jazz in Martinborough 2024

A jazz festival diary

Despite the tough economic times and the lower ticket sales Jazz in Martinborough version 2024
was another resounding success.

We (Lee and Mary) managed to get to every performance over the weekend and here is our diary
of the festival.

We started on Friday evening with jazz flute maestro Michelle Scullion and her trio wowing
audiences in the sunshine at Runholder. Over 40 guests enjoyed a fabulous gin and platter along
with the lilting and expressive flute in an auditorium totally suited to the style of jazz.
We moved on to Tohi Gin Room to hear Lee Taylor blast out some fabulous hits from the 40s and
50s. A real character, Lee worked the room with polished aplomb and jovial attitude. And the
chicken kebabs and satay sauce went down perfectly.

And so to work. Ben Wilcock is one of New Zealand’s premier pianists and we were thoroughly
looking forward to hosting him and his band at our Friday evening concert. We passed on our
warmest regards from Lee’s niece Tessa Quayle who had Ben play on her debut album in 2010.
We’d seen Tessa sing last weekend in Nelson and her voice just gets better – we’ve asked her to
consider a return to Martinborough for another show. . .

Our appreciative Jazz in Martinborough crowd arrived to settle in to a “world class” Jazz
performance. The quote marks are from a visiting New Yorker, who seemed totally enamoured with
her night out in our little town. (Sorry, didn’t get a name.) While there was a trio of fabulous
musicians on stage, with John Rae (drums) and Daniel Yeabsley (bass) working tightly with Ben to
entrance and entertain the audience, there was another star on the stage too. And it was the
Schimmel grand piano. On loan from the Martinborough Music Festival Trust it was a delight to
have the piano add a layer of magic to our stage and the jazz music.

Andy from GoodTimes Food Co and Hayley from Stad-ko Wines provided great food and drinks as
usual. It’s super to work with such reliable locals.

Saturday morning saw us quickly resetting the Town Hall for the Saturday performance after which
we headed off to Union Square for some guitar Jazz with Lockie Bennett and Eli Mulheron.
A Greek-themed lunch at Nara with more guitar jazz from Travers Jordaan and his trio was
preceded by a delicious glass of Palliser Chardonnay accompanied by jazz legends Kevin Clark
and Fran Barton. Gosh it’s hard organising these festivals!

There was a big crowd at the Brewery to see the Kuranui Jazz Combo strut their stuff. Lively,
youthful playing for a relaxed and happy crowd enjoying the music, the sunshine and the
atmosphere. Special thanks to Saali Marks for his influence at Kuranui College over the last (feels
like) decades. . . these kids are great. . .

Quick stop at Parehua for some fantastic cabaret-stylings from Mary Watson. Each year she
draws a wonderfully appreciative audience. Just wish we had more time to spend to enjoy the gig.
The Saturday night show in the town hall is always important to the festival. We’re so grateful for
the support we get from the community and love to bring great acts like Traskforce to the town.
Another fabulous night out featuring some of Wellington and New Zealand’s finest musicians. A
particular feature was the brass-work of the three saxophones. And pianist Duncan Haynes was
trying to figure out how to get the Schimmel into the back of his car!

After a few tidy-ups at the hall on Sunday morning, it was time to be blown away by local band
Ricochet. Stefan Brown and his mates played jazz versions of an eclectic collection of songs,
including his big hit ‘Big Norm’ which had turned 50 years old a few days beforehand.
Another fabulous Greek-inspired lunch at Nara while listening to Lockie Bennet again, but this time
with a trio featuring Louis Thompson-Munn on keyboard and Robert Henderson on bass. Yet
another quality performance from quality musicians.

We finished the weekend surrounded by friends, sitting in the sunshine at the Brewery,
accompanied by friend of the festival and fabulous guitarist Sam Cooke.

A quick round of thanks to the team: Ted, Katrina, Lu, Sue and Shayne, and supporters: Anna
O’Connell, Charlotte Harding, Destination Wairarapa (thanks Barb and Co), Lamb Peters Print, the
Hansens, Max Stevens, iTicket, all our fabulous venue partners, the Martinborough Music Festival
Trust, and … the audience!

‘Til next year then. . . ko jazz tera!
Lee and Mary Quayle