American jazz giants to headline Wellington winter jazz fest

American jazz giants to headline Wellington winter jazz festival

The Wellington Jazz Festival (5-8 June 2014) is now a fixture on the capital’s winter events calendar, and today the Festival’s Artistic Director Shelagh Magadza announced jazz legends Chick Corea, Gary Burton, and Joshua Redman, will headline the popular three day event. Corea (piano) and Burton (vibraphone) are two of the biggest names in jazz, while tenor saxophonist Joshua Redman has often been compared to the legendary Sonny Rollins.
Corea and Burton have never appeared in New Zealand as a duo before and jazz fans have just one opportunity to experience the phenomenal musical chemistry that makes this pair the most exciting double act in modern jazz.

“We are very pleased to announce Gary Burton and Chick Corea will play in Wellington on 6 June. They have been inspiring each other for more than forty years – ever since they spontaneously jammed at the Munich Festival in 1972. Each is a musical giant on their own, but as a duo they are legendary. They perform one night exclusively, so secure your seat soon! ” says Shelagh.

With his dazzling technique, expansive tone and adventurous spirit, tenor saxophonist Joshua Redman leads a gold-standard quartet, featuring pianist Aaron Goldberg (described by Wynton Marsalis as an “improviser of great clarity, finesse, and dexterity”), the exuberantly fluent bassist Reuben Rogers, and Gregory Hutchinson, “the drummer of his generation” (Jazz Magazine).

“I am thrilled Wellington audiences get this chance to experience Joshua Redman,” says Shelagh. “He has a reputation as a boundary pusher – but he always manages to take the audience with him on his eclectic journeys.”

Shelagh urges people to keep the first weekend of June free: “For anyone looking for a mid-winter culture hit, enhanced by music, food, wines and craft beers, the Wellington Jazz Festival promises a fantastic weekend.
Along with major international headliners, the Festival will feature top local musicians, and impromptu street performances, bringing life to the Cuba Quarter on cool nights,” she says.

The Festival announces the full international line-up next week.
Gary Burton and Chick Corea - Fri 6 June MFC
Joshua Redman Quartet - Thurs 5 June Opera House
Tickets on sale 7 April through Ticketek

Partnered by Wellington City Council

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