The Chisnallwood Jazz Band was one of 24 bands from around NZ to perform as part of the 10th anniversary Big Band Festival.
The Chisnallwood Jazz Band performed at Margaret Mahy Family Playground on Saturday as part of the Christchurch Big Band Festival. They also performed at the Art Gallery on Thursday as part of both Kids In Town and as a lead into the festival.
The festival celebrates Big Band jazz music and had bands ranging from adult bands from Christchurch, Dunedin, Nelson and Wellington to school-age bands taking part in many venues around Christchurch. The festival also offered workshops and it was great to see Chisnallwood students making the most of this and working with Rodger Fox in the Youth Band. Lena Krakowiak and Dylan Jonkers took part in this workshop led by Rodger Fox. Lena Krakowiak also took the improv workshop led by Gwyn Reynolds and Scott Taitoko; and Jai Tudor-Oakley took part in the rhythm section workshop led by Michael Story, Michael Thompson and Tim Driver.
The festival also featured special guest artist and virtuoso James Morrison playing with Symposium and the ChCh Youth Jazz Orchestra and a concert by the ChCh All Girl Big Band.
By Judith Bell