9th International Jazz Festival under way 26th October

Thanks to WellUrban for reminding us that the 9th Wellington International Jazz Festival gets under way tomorrow (26th October).

Much like WellUrban, we’re not too au fait with the jazz end of the musical spectrum, but can make a few tentative recommendations. Firstly, the venues are great, so even if you’re neither hither-nor-thither on the acts involved, both Happy and Cabaret are well worth a visit if you haven’t been there before.

As far as the acts go, Skallander looks a good bet. They’re a collaboration between NZ musicians Bevan Smith and Matthew Mitchell (Bevan is better known in the indie scene as the man behind Aspen and Signer) and both of whom have recorded music much more in the realm of minimalist indie electronica. Or something. The Skallander album The Camels is a bit more, well, jazzy, and should be a treat to hear live. Happy, Fri 28 Oct @ 9.30pm.

Lucien Johnston and the Galactic Treasures should also be a great live show. The disturbingly good-looking Lucien is recently returned from living in Paris (and playing shows around the other European capitals), and has rounded up a few of the usual local jazz legends for some gigs, one of which you can catch at Cabaret, Fri 28 Oct @ 9.30pm (err, yes, we realise that clashes with the above show).

And Norman Meehan, as well as being head of Massey’s Jazz School, author of a book on jazz pianist Paul Bley, and a jazz muso of no ill repute himself, is also the brother-in-law of the Wellingtonista editor, and thus his gig comes with our warmest and heartiest recommendation. Cabaret, Sat 29 Oct @ 7pm.