The Jac - Tūī Award Winning Jazz Octet

The Jac is celebrating 10 years since their debut album, Nerve, was released on Rattle records. The album received warm reviews and critical acclaim, including a nomination in the Aotearoa Music Awards "Best Jazz Album" category. Now The Jac is going back to where it all begin with three shows in the Te-Ika-a-Maui / The North Island.

Since 2010 the 8-piece ensemble The Jac has been a leading voice in the New Zealand jazz scene, pushing a modern sound with their distinctive, through-composed compositions, tight ensemble playing and impressive live shows. Their debut album Nerve (2014) was nominated for the NZ Music Awards Best Jazz Album of the year; the opening track “Sons of Thunder” from The Green Hour (2015) won New Zealand’s inaugural Jazz Composition of the Year award; in 2017 they performed 12 shows around the country as part of Chamber Music New Zealand’s “Encompass” tour, solidifying their cross-genre credentials; and this was followed by a headlining concert with Korean traditional/jazz fusion group, Black String, at the Wellington Jazz Festival, which sold out and garnered rave reviews. A spot at the Jarasum International Jazz Festival and a tour of 6 cities in South Korea followed. They were again awarded Jazz Composition of the Year for “Chungin’ in 2019 and "Tūī in 2020", and in 2021 they were crowned "Best Jazz Artist" at the Aotearoa Music Awards. 2024 promises to be a triumphant return for the celebrated octet.

Featuring:
Ben Hunt - trumpet
Jake Baxendale - alto saxophone
Chris Buckland - tenor and soprano saxophones
Matthew Allison - trombone
Callum Allardice - guitar
Daniel Hayles - piano
Nick Tipping - bass
Shaun Anderson - drums