Chisnallwood Jazz were so lucky to have both a camp and 4 performances at the Christchurch Big Band Festival in October!

Hanmer photos courtesy of Seta Timo.

Junior Jazz photos courtesy of Gary Easterbrook.

Riverside photos courtesy of Nicole Hawke of Vantage Media.

The band spent two nights in Hanmer Springs in the holidays training hard with jazz experts Lana Law, April Chapman and Charlotte Crone. They also went tree climbing and swimming and finished with an outdoor performance! Thanks to Anna Duncan, Sally Thompson, Tim Bell and Graham Frith for their help and support. And a massive shout out to Hanmer Arts and Mainland Foundation for the sponsorship!

In Labour weekend the band gave an Early Childhood Interactive educational show led by Jody Keehan and Mrs Bell, then played in an event for 7 primary school jazz bands called Junior Jazz Jam. These events were at the spacious Salvation Army Citadel.

The next day they played in a secondary school’s band afternoon and on Sunday played between Queenstown and Dunedin City Jazz adult big bands outdoors at Riverside Market. It was great to see the band’s progress, camaraderie and wonderful standard of playing.

Thanks to all the supporters, parents and teachers who came out to hear them!

By Judith Bell