Fresh Jam: College Jazz


Fresh Jam 2020 is another annual event affected by Covid-19, but we are still going ahead.  It will be a scaled down event this year with only two bands attending our afternoon workshop, tutored by Dr Rodger Fox, from Victoria University of Wellington, and four bands preforming to family and friends in the evening concert.

There will be a total of 40 students from 6 of the 7 Wairarapa colleges playing some great jazz at Kuranui College Auditorium on Friday the 14th of August.  Jazz In Martinborough has proudly sponsored this annual event since 2013.

It is our aim to promote Jazz amongst the youth of the Wairarapa.  We are delighted to see that one of the acts on the 14th will be a trio made up of students from 3 colleges.  This shows the confidence of the students in organising their own music and developing collaborations.

Kuranui College students are in the envious position of having so many songs in their repertoire that they will have to choose the best three tunes to preform.  They are really looking forward to Friday as they were ready to attend the Tauranga Jazz Festival this year but due to Covid-19 this event was cancelled.  The band, Kikorangi, had fund raised to go to Tauranga throughout the summer.  This will be a special occasion for the band, as they are seniors at Kuranui this year and will be going their own ways in future.

The concert starts at 6pm Friday the 14th of August in the Kuranui College Auditorium.  Entry is free.

In the past 2 years Jazz In Martinborough has sponsored 5 students, each year, to attend the Jazz Foundation Summer school ( a week long intensive Jazz school at Victoria University of Wellington).  The best way you can help this cause is to buy tickets to our two upcoming concerts at The Village Cafe, Martinborough: The Fiona Pears Trio will on the evening of Friday 4th September and The Wellington City Shake Em on Downers on the evening of Saturday 5th September.