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Wellington Jazz Festival

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Wellington Jazz Festival

Wellington Jazz Festival Grab a cosy booth or head onto the dance floor at some of the capital’s favourite music venues, bars and eateries. 25-29 October 2023

The annual Wellington Jazz Festival is a highlight of Aotearoa’s mid-winter music calendar, featuring some of the finest musicians from across New Zealand and around the globe.

16/06/2026

It's a big week! Lōemis Festival has arrived to welcome the winter solstice, we have the STAR TIME 'We Are Here' album release, the return of Groovemocracy with at Meow on Friday night and much more....

🌠 Tuesday 16 June
6pm - Moon Jam Nite @ MOON

🌠 Wednesday 17 June
6pm - The Racket Lounge @ Bedlam and Squalor
6.30pm - Nick Granville Guitar Clinic @ Musicworks Wellington
7pm - Alex Trask Quintet @ The Undercurrent
7.30pm - Mei Semones with support from Yawner @ Meow

🌠 Thursday 18 June
7.30pm - Troy Kingi Presents Night Lords @ Meow Nui
8pm - Garam Jung @ The Library Bar
9pm - Oscar Lavën Quintet @ Rogue and Vagabond

🌠 Friday 19 June
7pm - Monthly Jazz Night : Henderson Costeloe Bennet Trio @ The Thistle Inn
8pm - Groove Council + Bontempo + Cee @ Meow
8pm - Alex Trask @ The Library Bar
9pm - Sam Manzanza's Afrobeat Band @ Rogue and Vagabond

🌠 Saturday 20 June
7pm - Star Time 'We Are Here' Album Release with Benny Salvador & Raffla @ San Fran
8pm - Ghosts of Mount Kodak @ Pyramid Club
9pm - C-26 Salsa Band @ Rogue and Vagabond

🌠 Sunday 21 June
3.30pm - Sunday Jazz Ft. Oscar Garvie @ The Undercurren
5pm - Sunday Jazz - Wallace Gollan @ Rogue and Vagabond
8pm - The Cosmonauts @ The Library Bar

Pictured: Sunday Jazz - Wallace Gollan @ The Rogue & Vagabond
Local songstress Wallace Gollan and friends play some of their favourite standards.

Wallace Gollan - Vocals
Lockie Bennett - Guitar
Eli Mulheron - Bass
Plus a Special Guest Drummer!

12/06/2026

Welcome winter and welcome the return of the Gig Spotlight! We'll be taking a look at some special jazz events happening in the capital. Starting us off is the exuberant, 10-piece Afrobeat jazz STAR TIME and their 'We Are Here' album release gig on Saturday 20 June, 7pm at San Fran ⭐

Celebrate Star Time's debut album (officially releasing on Fri 19 Jun) 'We Are Here', featuring eight high-octane tracks including the latest single, 'Rasta Needs Water' which is out on streaming sites today 🎧

"The album's title 'We Are Here' is a statement often fiercely chanted by lead vocalist Francois, and although it's a statement which is left open-ended, we hope the listener takes it as a sign that we are all here and in this together, to dance and unite as one," says the band, "When listening, you should feel a wide range of emotions, ranging from excitement, peace, warmth, and a sense of belonging at home."

Star Time gigs never fail to be a rambunctious time so make sure to join the festivities alongside the band at their gig on Sat 20 Jun at San Fran. Listen to the single, presave the album, and book tickets at the link below 🎫
linktr.ee/startimeband

📸 by Ryo Nishikawa, Renee Tuuta, Michelle Segeant, & Lenuasi Tamapeau Su'a

09/06/2026

We made it out of the thunder and lightning last week, and this week lighting up our venues are these fabulous jazz gigs! Check them out below and add any missed gigs in the comments 👇

⛈️ Tuesday 9 June
7.30pm - Moon Jam Nite @ MOON

⛈️ Wednesday 10 June
8pm - Swing Jazz Jam @ The Undercurrent

⛈️ Thursday 11 June
7pm - Capital Blues presents The Wellington Heads @ Lynott's Irish Bar
8pm - JB3 @ The Library Bar

⛈️ Friday 12 June
7pm - Control Music Video Launch! @ Vogelmorn Upstairs
7.30pm - Fernanda Diaz Quartet @ The Undercurrent
8pm - Free Jago @ The Library Bar
9.30pm - Them Sundries @ Rogue and Vagabond

⛈️ Saturday 13 June
7pm - Hector Is Finding His Voice! w/ Lily Rose Shaw @ Hataitai Bowling Club
8pm - Out Loud 2026: Night One @ Rogue and Vagabond

⛈️ Sunday 14 June
1pm - Air Force Band Charity Concert @ Southwards Car Museum, Paraparaumu
5pm - Sunday Jazz - James Illingworth @ Rogue and Vagabond
3pm - Sunday Jazz Ft. Alda Rezende @ The Undercurrent Dutta
2pm - Sunday Jazz Club @ Parrotdog Bar
8pm - Cuzzies @ The Library Bar

Pictured: Sunday Jazz at The Undercurrent ft. Alda Rezende.

Alda Rezende presents an intimate trio performance at the Undercurrent, reimagining the iconic Brazilian repertoire of Clube da Esquina through a jazz-inflected and improvisational lens. With a voice known for its warmth, tone, and emotional depth, she brings a personal and contemporary reading to songs by Milton Nascimento, Lô Borges, and their collaborators. Joined by two of Wellington’s most distinctive musicians Noel Clayton on guitar and Duncan Haynes on piano, the trio explores spacious, responsive arrangements where Brazilian songwriting meets jazz interplay, shaped by the intimate, listening-focused atmosphere of Undercurrent’s Sunday afternoon series.

05/06/2026

Try something new and be led into the Maruaroa o Takurua, winter solstice by Lōemis Festival ❄️

With food, sculpture, immersive art, music, poetry, film, and more, taking over Te Whanganui-a-Tara from 9-21 June, make sure to check out these jazz-adjacent gigs!

🌠 Troy Kingi Presents Night Lords with special guests Mā, Tom Scott, MokoMokai, SWIDT, Diggy Dupē, and more - Meow Nui, Thu 18 June, Doors 7pm
🌠 Mei Semones with support from Yawner - Meow, Wed 17 June, Doors 7pm
🌠 REforms: Shayne P Carter and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra - Michael Fowler Centre · Fri 19 June, 7.30pm

04/06/2026

🎫 Tickets for Macy Gray Live at the 2026 Wellington Jazz Festival are on sale NOW! 🎤 Get yours at jazzfestival.nz/macygray or at the link in our bio 🔗

Expect a jaw-dropping celebration of her chart-topping hits including "I Try", "Still, Do Something", "Sexual Revolution", "Sweet Baby", and so much more, plus her brand new single - the classic "I'm Too Sexy" from the upcoming album, The Trouble with the Truth.

📍 Thursday 15 October, St James Theatre

02/06/2026

Monday marked the first day of Winter 2026 ❄️ Welcome the new season by getting cosy at some jazz gigs 🔥 and ICYMI - Macy Gray Live is now on pre-sale, get your tix at the link in our bio!

❄️ Wednesday 3 June
7.30pm - Jungle Beat Blues @ The Undercurrent

❄️ Thursday 4 June
8.30pm - Chris Prosser (solo) + O'Rorke / Latham / Wright @ Pyramid Club
9pm - Oscar Lavën Organ Trio feat Chris Yeabsley @ Rogue and Vagabond

❄️ Friday 5 June
9.30pm - Overtime with Blair Gowan @ Rogue and Vagabond
10pm - Bryon the Aquarius (US) with Benny Salvador + Awa + Kindekell @ Meow

❄️ Saturday 6 June
8pm The Commas @ Double Vision Brewing, Miramar
9.30pm - Bojack Funkman @ Rogue and Vagabond

❄️ Sunday 7 June
2pm - Sunday Jazz Club @ Parrotdog Bar
3.30pm - Sunday Jazz Ft. Lockie Bennett @ The Undercurrent
4.30pm - Roda de Choro @ Hanging Ditch
5pm - Sunday Jazz - Tyson Smith @ Rogue and Vagabond

❄️ Monday 8 June
7pm - Saul Williams Meets Carlos Niño @ San Fran

Pictured: Sunday Jazz - Tyson Smith @ Rogue and Vagabond
Tyson Smith likes hats (and is rarely seen without one). He frequently switches between his singer-songwriter hat, rock n' roll hat and DJ hat among various others, but on June 7th he's dusting off his Jazz hat for Sunday arvo Jazz at the Rogue! He has also enlisted some of Welly's finest to join him, though they're responsible for their own headpieces.

With Blair Latham on Sax, Hikurangi Shaverien-Kaa on drums and Elijah Mulheron on bass. Expect a range of exciting twangy, jazzy sounds!

01/06/2026

📣 Nobody puts on a show like Macy Gray – see for yourself at the 2026 Wellington Jazz Festival 🎟️ The Culture Club presale is live NOW! Sign up for access at jazzfestival.nz/cultureclub 🔗

Famed for her electrifying live performances and fresh off her acclaimed On How Life Is 25th anniversary world tour, ‘Macy Gray Live’ promises an unforgettable celebration of soul, groove, and world-class musicianship.

📍 St James Theatre, Thu 15 Oct, 8pm
🎫 Tickets from $79

30/05/2026

📢 We are thrilled to announce that, as part of her latest international tour, GRAMMY Award-winning soul icon Macy Gray will make her long-awaited return to Aotearoa after more than a decade, including a special performance on Thursday 15 October at St James Theatre 🎤

Nobody puts on a show like Macy Gray. Famed for her electrifying live performances and fresh off her acclaimed 'On How Life Is' 25th anniversary world tour, Macy Gray Live promises an unforgettable celebration of soul, groove, and world-class musicianship.

Pre-sale opens at 9am NZT, Tuesday 2 June for 48 hours. General public sales open at 9am, Thursday 4 June.

🎟️For exclusive pre-sale access, sign up to Culture Club at https://cultureclub.raiselysite.com/ 🔗

📍 St James Theatre, Thu 15 Oct, 8pm

Macy Gray Live is presented by David M Hawkins and Tomos Griffiths in association with the Wellington Jazz Festival.

29/05/2026

Ka mau te wehi to all artists who took away Tūī awards at last nights 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards 🎉 Plus, a particular shoutout to our Wellington Jazz Festival alumni! ❤️‍🔥🎷

🏆 Te Manu Taki Tautito o te Tau | Best Jazz Artist - Louisa Williamson for Groundwork
🏆 Te Manu Taki Whanokē o te Tau | Best Alternative Artist - MĀ
🏆 Te Manu Taki Manako o te Tau | Best Soul/RnB Artist - Tom Scott

"Play your instrument loud and sing at the top of your lungs, and remember that music makes us human." – Dame Lynda Topp at the 2026 AMAs.

27/05/2026

It was the legendary Miles Davis' heavenly 100th Birthday yesterday! So if you're missing Mr Davis and feeling Kind of Blue, lift your spirits by heading to as many of the incredible jazz gigs in Welly this week that you can! We hope you're having the best jam wherever you are, Miles 🎺🤍

🎺 Wednesday 27 May
5.30pm - Live At 5 Wednesdays @ Cable Top Eatery
6.30pm - Hupstein Eng Trio at Sound Stage @ The Angus Restaurant and Bar, Lower Hutt
8pm - Swing Jazz Jam @ The Undercurrent
8pm - Chris Beernink, Aslan, Abey Sparks, Dave Wilson @ Cuba St Tavern

🎺 Thursday 28 May
5.30pm - Brock And Bri @ The Undercurrent
7pm - Capital Blues presents: The Mat Enright Blues Band - Take 2! @ Lynott's Irish Bar
9pm - Alex Trask + 6 @ Rogue and Vagabond

🎺 Friday 29 May
7pm - Brio Trio Album Release Event @ Vogelmorn Bowling Club
7.30pm - Mansel Prax @ The Undercurrent
8pm - Brock Alexander @ The Library Bar
9.30pm - LILA JNR - Fresh of the Boot @ Rogue and Vagabond

🎺 Saturday 30 May
7pm - W:ELLINGTON by Orchestra Wellington Featuring the Te Kōkī Big Band, (Pre-concert talk, Renouf Foyer, 6.30pm) @ Michael Fowler Centre
9pm - The New Zealand Swing Quartet - Oscar's Birthday Bash @ Rogue and Vagabond

🎺 Sunday 31 May
2pm - Sunday Jazz Club @ Parrotdog Bar
3.30pm - Sunday Jazz Ft. Miles Crayford @ The Undercurrent
5pm - Sunday Jazz - Brock Alexander @ Rogue and Vagabond
7pm - Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 @ San Fran

Address

Wellington
6011

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+6444730149

Website

http://www.jazzfestival.nz/

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