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Wanganui Jazz Club, Whanganui (2026)

01/06/2026

Erna Ferry Sings
The Wanganui Jazz Club is thrilled to welcome our great friend and inspirational vocalist Erna Ferry to our June Club Night this Sunday. We have heard Erna featured in many bands over the years. She has sung with the Rodger Fox Big Band, the Blues Buffet and the Whanganui Jazz Orchestra to name a few, but this is the first time she will perform for us with a band that she has put together herself. Erna invites you to meet the band who are mostly from in and around Palmerston North where she lives.
Steve Papworth on keys is a well-known musician in town and keyboard player for the Swamp City Big Band. He has toured with the Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band and plays the New Year’s Eve show every year in Palmy. Berndt Reiss on bass is recent addition to the jazz scene and is in much demand since he arrived in New Zealand. James Tait-Jamieson on saxophone and Ryan Watson on drums both played at the Club earlier this year and are becoming regular faces in Whanganui. Completing the lineup and coming up from Wellington especially to join us for this gig is the astonishing Nick Granville on guitar, with local multi-talented Riwai Hina adding his trombone in the second set.
For those of you who do not know Erna Ferry, as well as singing jazz standards, this “lady sings the blues”. And she plays some mean harp (harmonica)! So yes, we are excited to hear everything Erna and her band will deliver on the night. This is sure to be a performance you do not want to miss. New members are always welcome.
Sunday 7 June, 6:30 @ St Johns Club, 158 Glasgow Street
Members of the St Johns and WanganuiJazz Clubs $15. Memberships available.

19/05/2026

It is with great sadness that our Committee shares the passing of our lovely Vice-President and member, Karen Noyes.
Karen was on the Committee for many years, and we are so grateful to have had her as part of our Club.
Her humour and kindness made a lasting impact on many as she greeted members at the desk on club days.
Karen will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Her funeral will be held on Friday at 1pm for those who would like to attend

https://clevelandfunerals.co.nz/notice?id=2426

21/04/2026

IJD JAM SESSION @ PORRIDGE WATSON, 30 DREWS AVE
SUNDAY 26 APRIL, 6-8PM

Porridge Watson has been closely involved with Whanganui’s annual celebration of International Jazz Day (IJD) since hosting the first jam session to kick off the festival weekend in 2022 that featured four jazz performances over the three days. This year there are again four, beginning with the 30 April IJD Concert on Thursday in the Prince Edward Auditorium at Whanganui Collegiate School. On Friday the Musicians Club Night hosts the legend Hurricane Blues. The Whanganui Jazz Orchestra plays at the Market on Saturday, and Lauren Nottingham brings her quartet to the Whanganui Jazz Club Night at the St Johns Club on Sunday. That will be a weekend filled with music to mark the day when the whole world comes together to play jazz.
Meanwhile, the usual suspects converge on Porridge Watson this Sunday 26 April to herald Whanganui’s contribution to the celebrations happening all over the world. The music is held together by Chris Dann leading the band on keys, with Dave Griffiths on bass and Michael Franklin-Browne on drums. And then there are the musicians who sit in with the band. This is an invitation to local musicians to come down and have a listen and see if you get the urge to join in. The idea of the music is group improvisation, with vocalists featuring as well as instrumentalists.
If you have never been to one of these monthly sessions, you may not know that the venue is family friendly with quality food and drink in a safe and friendly space. The music is always lively and adventurous. And because of the patronage of the owner, Tony Sundman, there is no cover charge. Come down and check it out.

31/03/2026

Boogaloo Kererū

The Wanganui Jazz Club welcomes James Tait-Jamieson to its April meeting at the St Johns Club this Sunday. You may have heard James and his tenor saxophone playing with Andrew London or Laura Collins. If you were at last year’s International Jazz Day celebration at the Musicians Club, you would have seen him directing procedings from the stage. He was our Musical Director, a role he will assume once again on 30 April when the event returns to the Prince Edward Auditorium at Whanganui Collegiate. In between gigs, James is an educator who teaches music privately and in high schools in and around Palmerston North. He excels in all things jazz and his enthusiasm for the music makes him a much sought after performer.
Here is how he describes his Boogaloo Kererū project:
I grew up with a Hammond-organ-playing father and I’ve always loved the sound of the instrument in a Jazz setting. I was doing a concert in Wellington last year featuring Miles Crayford, one of his sisters, his father and his grandfather. Miles mostly played piano on that gig but he played organ on one number. I really dug his playing so I thought I’d put a band together around him to play some of my favourite jazzy Hammond organ tunes.
James (Sax, Vocals) and Miles (Hammond Organ) are joined by favourites Robert Kingi on Guitar and Ryan Watson on Drums.
James goes on to explain: Boogaloo is a genre of Latin music and dance which was popular in the 1960s. Originating in New York, the style is a fusion of American Rhythm & Blues and Soul, and Caribbean Mambo.
There you have it, a night of upbeat joyful music on Easter Sunday. Come and celebrate.
Sunday 5 April, 6:30pm @ St Johns Club, 158 Glasgow Street
Members of the St Johns and Wanganui Jazz Clubs $15.

23/03/2026

IJD Jam Session
Sunday 29 March from 6pm to 8pm
Porridge Watson, 30 Drews Ave

In November 2011, UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day in order to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. We have been celebrating this important initiative in Whangnaui since 2018. This is what we promote every month with our IJD jam sessions at Porridge Watson.
The house band this month is again the talented trio of Chris Dann on keys, Dave Griffiths on bass and Michael Franklin-Browne on drums. The idea of the music is group improvisation using both standard and original forms. Musicians of all persuasions are invited to come and sit in with the band or just join with the listeners who make the music happen. It’s a relaxed yet lively session, full of surprises and musical adventures.
Thanks to the patronage of Tony Sundman of Porridge Watson there is no charge. It is a family friendly environment and children are made welcome with good food and soft drinks.
International Jazz Day has become jazz music’s contribution to the United Nations’ efforts to promote peace and mutual understanding worldwide through dialogue, culture and the arts. As well as the thousands of events taking place all around the world on 30 April, there is always an annual Global All Star concert that changes locations every year. This year it will be in Chicago, hosted by founder Herbie Hancock with an international lineup and messages of peace and unity.
Here in Whanganui, we make our voices heard everytime we get together for one of our IJD Jam Sessions. Come along and enjoy the music, the company and the hospitality.

24/02/2026

WHANGANUI ALL STARS TO KICK OFF THE SEASON
Sunday 1 March, 6:30pm @ St Johns Club
Whanganui has a new jazz band that features some of our finest musicians, and the Wanganui Jazz Club is proud to have them open the 2026 season this Sunday at the St Johns Club. An inspiration of WJO trumpet player Richard Singleton, the band plays a repertoire of jazz, blues, funk and popular tunes that is designed to get your feet tapping and make you feel good. Here is what they have to say about their upcoming performance:
From jazz, to funk , to reggae to soul. We’re about ready for take off to a destination unknown. Could it be bliss? Could it be nostalgia? Both? Or just everything nice!
Here we are… The Funk Rockets, everybody! Holding down the engine room, we’ve got one of New Zealand’s finest groove masters, Michael Franklin-Browne, a legendary drummer known across the country for his powerhouse feel, musicality, and unmistakable drive. Alongside him, bringing rhythm and style, is another nationally respected name, Fred Loveridge, whose musicianship and versatility have made him a favourite on stages all around the north island. Guiding the big band spirit and keeping the horns flying high, we have Riwai Hina on Trombone, former student of the Late Great Rodger Fox and director of the Whanganui Jazz Orchestra. Representing the prestige of the national stage, please welcome Clyde Dixon, straight out of the New Zealand Big Band, bringing class, precision, and serious swing to the launch pad. On keys, bringing flavour and fire, the Herbie Hancock of Whanganui, is the one and only Brent Holt, delivering cosmic chords and interstellar grooves. Our bass player David Griffiths is a well-known force on the local music scene, bringing the power of his musicality and versatility to every stage he steps on. And all the way from little old Taihape, launching melodies into orbit, saxophonist Joe Kennedy completes our line- up for this evening. Alright crew… strap in! Start the countdown… 10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1… SEND IT!
Anyone wanting to attend the Wanganui jazz Club AGM is welcome to come to the St Johns Club at 5:00pm. Otherwise, we’ll see you when it’s showtime. Let’s get together and support the music.

18/02/2026

Sunday 22 February from 6pm to 8pm @ Porridge Watson, 30 Drews Ave
The International Jazz Day Jam Sessions continue this Sunday at Porridge Watson following a week that featured the culmination of a historic March for Peace by Buddhist monks in America. The nineteen monks began their 3700 kilometer journey from Fort Worth Texas on 26 October 2025. They walked for 108 days and arrived at the nation’s capital last week. Their pilgrimmage captured the imagination of millions all around the world.
Here in Whanganui, their progress was followed with great interest by many of us, and it was heart warming to witness the huge crowds that gathered to support them as they made their way to Washington. The impact of their initiative was referenced at the recent Small Talks event sponsored by Bayleys at Heritage House that raised money to support our celebration of IJD. Robi Martin delivered an emotional account of the hikoi to the delight of everyone in the audience.
Herbie Hancock, the architect of IJD, has practised Buddhism for most of his adult life. Our monthly jam sessions are dedicated to the pursuit of this passion for bringing peace to the world. Chris Dann will once again lead the band on keys, with Michael Franklin-Browne holding down the rhythm section on drums and Chris Salmon playing tastefully on guitar. And then there are the local musicians who come to contribute their voices and the audience that makes the music come alive. Last month’s session was jumping. You are invited to come on down and join the party. The session is family friendly and all ages are welcome. Thanks to the patronage of the venue’s owner Tony Sundman there is no cover charge – simply good food, drink and hospitality to accompany the music.

08/02/2026

Tuesday 7pm

20/01/2026

R.I.P. GEOFF CULVERWELL ( passed 19/01/2026)
The Wanganui Jazz Club pays respect to the important contributions Geoff made to jazz in Whanganui and throughout all of New Zealand. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
(Photo of Geoff enjoying mentoring music students in his role as Musical Director of the 2024 International Jazz Day event held at the Whanganui Musicians Club)

15/12/2025

ASH MAYOR
It is with much sadness we announce the passing of long time member and past President Ash Mayor.
Ash will be remembered for playing a mean saxophone and singing velvety vocals.
Our committee remembers him as a wonderful, funny, talented and generous gentleman whom we loved very much.
Our condolences go out to his family.
His funeral is tomorrow, Tuesday 16 December in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Arundel Place, Whanganui at 10.30am, followed by interment in the Aramoho Lawn Cemetery.
RIP

Wanganui Jazz Club

01/06/2026

19/05/2026

21/04/2026

31/03/2026

23/03/2026

24/02/2026

18/02/2026

08/02/2026

20/01/2026

15/12/2025

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