The Jazz Combo had a fabulous week in Blenheim just recently as they competed in the very popular Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival.

This Jazz festival is the only one like it in the country and is organised by 'Marlborough 4 Fun'. Riccarton High School’s Senior Jazz Combo entered the festival for the second year running and gained plenty of performing experience while they were there.  Our Jazz Combo played at a number of really awesome gigs, including Picton’s 'Le Cafe', the very funky new bar in Blenheim called '5 Tapped', the more traditional 'Blenheim club', a local winery called 'Wairua wines' and they were welcomed with great enthusiasm by Bohally Intermediate School. The trip was filled with fabulous music-making as well as crazy banter. The team of judges were highly skilled players from around the country who have vast experience playing overseas, but the highlight had to be the gala concert featuring vocalist Holly Smith. Holly gave great advice to all students about performance technique and how to manage anxiety. It was lovely to see someone with such talent advising our students how to look after their own well-being.

The RHS Senior Jazz Combo consists of Toby Buckner on trumpet, Carmen Holdaway on tenor saxophone, Jay Kang on piano, Jordan Riddell on bass and Daneil Bruerton on drums.  Jay Kang achieved incredible individual success when he won the Gibson Crosse award for Most Outstanding Keyboard Player.  This was well-deserved. He is an accomplished jazz pianist with a refined technique and exceptional understanding of jazz voicing.  His improvisations are exceptional and look effortless. Jay then featured as the piano soloist in the All Stars Band’s performance of a vibrant salsa chart called Cubano Chant.  Toby Buckner also showed impressive style and groove with his hard out trumpet solos in 'Red Baron' and beautiful flugelhorn playing in 'I fall In Love Too Easily'.

Hopefully, we will be able to take both the combo and the jazz band next year.  The experience is not just about winning or gaining fabulous awards, but also enjoying the gigs and playing for the audience. Our students were exceptional in their conduct and in their musicianship and were an absolute pleasure to spend time with.

A big thank you also to the parents who supported us while we were away, especially to Sarah Wylie for joining us again for the second year running.

The Jazz Combo will join many other musical groups from school for the Music Soiree on September 14th at Lyttelton Arts Factory.