An Evening of Jazz Sophistication with Lounge Sweet

Lounge Sweet began performing in late 2007, first as a trio at local cafes, restaurants, weddings and house concerts in Whangarei and the Far North, led by Reese Helmondollar on saxes, with Barry Wilcox on keys and John Fraser on bass.

In mid-2008 they were joined on guitar by John Costa and drums by Matt Hennessy, and played with popular and critical success at the Bay of Islands and Whangarei Jazz & Blues Festivals, as well as invited perfromances for The Kerikeri National Piano Competition, Northern Jazz Society, Kerikeri Arts, South Hokianga Arts and other organizations.  Recently the band has been joined by jazz vocalist Makareta Riki for some performances, and trumpeter Matt Watson has replaced guitarist, John Costa.

Lounge Sweet's debut CD, 'Stolen Moments' was recorded in April 2009 and released in June to critical acclaim.

About the Musicians:

Reese Helmondollar (saxophone) is an American who lived in Waiheke Island for 20 years before shifting to the Far North in 2005.  He has been a member of Whangarei's 'Basin City Big Band' and is currently saxophone and clarinet tutor at the Kerikeri School of Music.

Barry Wilcox (piano) has been a leading light of the Far North jazz scene for over 10 years, founding the Kerikeri School of Music (with the late lamented guitarist Ed Steijardt), where he teaches piano & music theory, and stimulating musicians from his hip music shop, 'The Sound Lounge'.

John Fraser (bass) is an ex-Auckland musician now resident with his young family in Ngunguru, who is involved in several bands, among them 'Jazz Inspired' and the 'Basin City Big Band'.  He also tutors at the NorthTec campus in Whangarei.

Matt Watson (trumpet) is also an ex-Aucklander living outside Whangarei, who plays lead trumpet and flugelhorn in the 'Basin City Big Band' and doubles as pianist in the popular trio, 'About Time', which also features Fraser and Hennessey.

Matt Hennessy, (drums) also an American with a long residency in New Zealand (mostly in the Whangarei area), has performed with many bands in both countries over the years and is in great demand by visiting musicians.

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