The River City Jazzmen of Christchurch.
Sunday 18th August. 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Meow.

Christchurch’s River City Jazzmen’s culture can be summed up in one word; authentic. The focus of the band never wavers far from the classic Dixieland vibe. The repertoire is faithful to the genre and the dedication of the musicians is the same. The line-up, now in its ninth year, follows the New Orleans’ model with skilled and inventive soloists. From ‘All Of Me’ & ‘Bourbon Street Parade’ to ‘The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise’ the RCJ repertoire boasts in excess of a hundred numbers dating from 1917 up to the best of the 50’s & 60’s trad.
Since March 2017 (when the RCJ last played for the Club), the band has been extremely busy & successful with gigs such as “Fat Eddies ‘New Orleans’ Dixieland Band competition” – winners over 16 competing bands/ the Art Deco Festival in Napier 2019 / the Taranaki Jazz Club/ ( & back again in 2019 with Whanganui Jazz Club also included) / The Lake Wanaka Centre / a Cromwell Winery & this year –the Christchurch International Jazz & Blues Festival.
Michael Bain said after the 2017 concert in Wellington -“ the River City Jazzmen played an outstanding performance….the band was bright, with nice tight ensemble playing and superb improvisations……arrangements were innovative and very entertaining……..great to hear the old standards played with such gusto. “

The upcoming appearance of the River City Jazzmen will include a number of ‘new’ works as well as some of the old ‘authentic’ Dixieland favourites again. When did you last hear “The Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me” played & sung?!!

The six piece group comprises:

Neill Pickard ( QSM ) - Banjo/ Guitar / & Vocals – Neill has had significant association with, and is Founder of the Christchurch Jazz School. He is currently a relief teacher throughout Christchurch in his retirement. One of NZ’s finest banjo players.

Michael Fairhurst – Trumpet / Flugel Horn / Vocals – hails from Dunedin – a schoolteacher with enormous brass playing & educational talent – virtuoso on the trumpet in the jazz ‘idiom’, with a superb ‘lip trill’ skills!

Tony Lewis (MNZM) - Trombone – a retired Chartered Accountant who has included music and particularly Trombone playing of the highest order, throughout his busy commercial career. A fine ear & enthusiastic improviser.

Allan Hawes – Clarinet – still teaching music & well known to Wellington Jazz ‘musos’. His computer prowess & IT skills are always in demand.

David Pitt – Bass - Head of Music at Papanui High School. An accomplished Jazz Bass Player with exceptional flair . The ‘rock’ of the group.

Jerome Raateland – Drums – A commercial businessman – has been with the group from its inception & has a love for the ‘authentic’ style of this band.

This toe –tapping band from Christchurch is recognised as one of the very best ‘authentic’ Dixieland bands in the country. Their music appeals to a wide range of age groups, and particularly enthusiasts of the genre. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear something special.