Bars, restaurants, and all that jazz

The international acts are matched by an ocean of local talent. Over 200 gigs will take place between 15 and 19 October. Bars, restaurants and some other surprise venues in and around Courtenay Place offer particularly rich live music pickings. Every imaginable type of jazz will be on offer — the list below barely scratches the surface. 

A gig in a secondhand bookshop might sound studious but don’t be fooled. The Undercurrent has an intimate raised stage and comfortable seating among the bookshelves. It’s here The Alex Trask Quartet will play ‘Imaginary Folksongs’. The gig blends bluegrass, Scottish folk music with a speculative style from an imaginary place. The also perform songs by Brian Blade, Gordon Lightfoot, and traditional melodies. 

It’s been delivering the perfect blend of laid-back atmosphere and culinary excellence since 2000. Hummingbird on Courtenay Place adds a jazz trio into the mix for the Wellington Jazz Festival. The Hummingbird Jazz Trio is made up of vocalist and pianist Ella Dunbar-Wilcox, double bassist Robert Henderson, and guitarist Lockie Bennett. They’ll while the the night away with some soft sounds to accompany a special four-course meal.

Over the five days of the Wellington Jazz Festival, Jack Hacketts pub host over 40 gigs. The Wellington Mingus Ensemble celebrates one of the most notable jazz composers of the 20th century. Charles Mingus was a revered icon of Black American music, blues, improvisation, and art. Charismatic melodies meet dense impressionistic orchestration and raging blues in a tribute to a jazz great.

The jazz of the 1930s features at the Welsh Dragon. Brass Manouche is a fresh interpretation of the music of Django Reinhardt, early swing, and other traditional jazz styles. Django was a Belgian born Romani jazz guitarist and composer. It features Luka van Rensburg on trumpet, Ferdinand Hitchings-Anstice on trombone, Hupstein Eng on guitar, and Karel van Helden on guitar and Frank Bass on bass. 

Surround yourself in books, cocktails and soulful jazz at Library Bar. The intimate upstairs space on Courtenay Place hosts Bri Lou Got the Blues. Bri Louise is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer. This gig showcases her unique mix of jazz, hip-hop, and R&B into an emotional and imaginative style. Joining her is Liam Reburn on guitar, Eloise Edmonds on saxophone, Star Stephens on trumpet, and Evie Patterson on double bass. 

Towering above Courtenay Place on the top of the Hope Gibbons Building, Dirty Little Secret is a rooftop bar with a mighty view. It’s continuing its tradition of having a party on the final night of the Jazz Festival. Crash Bandihoot returns for another dose of New Orleans street-style brass band music. Expect a raucous carnival atmosphere with plenty of colour, smiles and horns. You’ll want to bring your dancing shoes.

With Glover Park directly outside Rogue and Vagabond is a great place to enjoy a drink and live music. For the final night of the Wellington Jazz Festival Tyaan Singh creates the magical worlds of Studio Ghibli. Tyaan leads a 12-piece ensemble to blend both jazz and classical orchestral instrumentation. The vibrant and inventive arrangements will bring to life eight classic Ghibli film scores with a jazzy edge.