Pleasing results for King's and Queen's combined Big Band, King's own Jazz Combo and two King's musicians

This year’s DYJF Big Band and Combo contest was held on Friday, August 2nd, at Hanover Hall, with Oscar Laven, dynamic tenor saxophonist and talented multi-instrumentalist from Wellington, presiding as the adjudicator. Big Bands and Small Combos from around the greater Otago region each performed for around 20 minutes, their repertoire of pieces including a ‘swing’ piece, a ‘straight’ piece and any other choice.

The assessment schedule this year was achievement based with bands being awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze awards, and individual awards for instrumentalists.

Queen B and the Swing Kings, King’s and Queen’s Big Band  played ‘Blue Train’(Swing), ‘Caravan’(Other) and ‘All Blues’(Straight) and were awarded a Gold placing.

Individual awards went to Basuru Thanthiriwatta – most promising flautist, and to Josh Gray – most promising pianist.

King’s Jesters, King’s own Jazz Combo performed ‘Misty’ (Errol Garner) and ‘Red Clay (Freddie Hubbard). They were awarded a  Silver placing.

Congratulations to following musicians who play in the Swing Kings: William Blakie (Alto Sax), and Levi Simpson – absent, Aayden McKenzie (Flute), Basuru Thanthiriwatta (Flute), Ben T. Nguyen (Trumpet), Temia Reynolds (Trumpet), Matthew McIlroy (Trombone) Ben K. Nguyen (Trombone), Josh Gray (Piano), Blake Hughes (Drums), Aidan Blakie (Bass)

Congratulations to the following musicians who play in King’s Jesters: William Blakie (Sax), Ben T. Nguyen (Trumpet), Ben K. Nguyen (Trombone), Owen Jack (Bass), Josh Gray (Piano), Blake Hughes (Drumkit) and Levi Simpson – absent.