Jazz Inspired

Jazz Inspired is based in Whangarei and was formed at the beginning of 2009. During this year they had successful appearances at the Bay of Islands Jazz Festival, the Northern Jazz Festival where they performed with international jazz trumpeter, Bob Montgomery,  and the Whangamata Jazz Festival where they backed the host of the Good Morning Show, Sarah Bradley.

In 2010 the band has performed for several significant charity events such as the launch of Project Promise, for the Jazz in Churchs project run by the Northern Jazz Society and will be appearing again at the Bay of Islands and Whangamata Jazz Festivals.  

At the Centre Jazz Inspired will be performing bebop and swing-style arrangements ranging from recent compositions by New York Saxophonist Eric Alexander to classic charts by Fats Navarro, Al Grey, Neil Hefti, Lee Morgan and Sonny Stitt.

The band is delighted to also present guest vocalist Sara Harris who will sing popular swing standards such as 'Can't Help Lovin' that Man', 'Summertime', 'I got rhythm', 'LOVE' and many more.

Review:

"a sublime sextet with a masterful horn section playing with seemingly effortless delivery, theirs is a range of jazz from dixi to swing, latin to bebop and original material giving them a mini-big band sound"  John Norris - Whangmata Jazz Festival

Jazz Inspired consists of Derek Hopper (leader, trumpet, flugelhorn), Don Durrant (tenor saxophone, flute), Jim Thorne (alto saxophone, clarinet), Phil Cullen (drums), Patrick Whelan (guitar) and Kerikeri local, John Drake (double bass).

 

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