Wellington Jazz Festival

We’re back! Mark your calendars, we have the 2026 Wellington Jazz Festival dates ready for you … 💕 Wed 14 Oct - Sun 18 Oct 💕 See you there! #welljazzfest

Catch these shows around Te Whanganui-a-Tara this week and don't miss your opportunity to farewell a big Welly name 🎆 Add any missed gigs in the comments below 👇 🦜 Wednesday 13 May 12.15pm - Saxcess @ St Andrew's on the Terrace 5.30pm - Mark Lockett, Ayrton Foote, & Daniel Yeabsley @ Cable Top Eatery 6.30pm - Nameless & Brainless @ Moon Bar 8pm - Swing Jazz Jam @ The Undercurrent 🦜 Thursday 14 May 12.30pm - Musical Punch Over Lunch Concert Series - The Guiding Tones @ Old St Paul's 7pm - Miro Holland Group @ The Undercurrent 7pm - Carol Bean Ensemble @ Lynott's Irish Pub 8.30pm - New Orleans Trad Jazz @ The Library 9pm - The Brynzilian Big Band (Bryn farewell!) @ Rogue and Vagabond 🦜 Friday 15 May 9.30pm - The Uptakes w/ Louis TM @ Rogue and Vagabond 🦜 Saturday 16 May 7.30pm - Krakerjack @ The Undercurrent 9.30pm - C-26 @ Rogue and Vagabond 🦜 Sunday 17 May 2pm - Sunday Jazz Club @ Parrotdog Bar 3.30pm - Sunday Jazz ft. Ayrton Foote & Ella Sophie @ The Undercurrent 8pm - King Oyster @ The Library Pictured: Bryn van Vliet - The Brynzillian Big Band 🎷 The Brynzilian Big Band is a 17-piece powerhouse jazz orchestra founded and led by saxophonist Bryn van Vliet. Bryn is a multi-disciplinary artist known for his dynamic career as an instrumentalist (saxophone, woodwinds, vocals), performer, composer, arranger, and educator. As a founding member of TOI and former lead alto saxophonist for the Rodger Fox Big Band, he has earned a reputation as a versatile and sought-after musician. On Thursday night, catch this iconic Wellington group for the last time in a while, as Bryn departs his beloved Wellington!

Kia ora Jazz Lovers! 💖 Huia here - taking over from the amazing Mysty to keep you in the jazz gig loop ♾️ Add any missed gigs in the comments below 👇 👋 Wednesday 6 May 6.30pm - Clear Path Ensemble 'Ascending' Listening Party @ Vogelmorn Hall 7.30pm - Swing Jazz Jam @ The Undercurrent 8pm - Thundercat Distracted Album Tour @ Meow Nui 👋 Thursday 7 May 12.30pm - Musical Punch Over Lunch - Petit ChouX @ Old St Paul's 6pm - HBC Unplugged @ Hataitai Bowling Club 8pm - Funky Mama @ Rogue and Vagabond 👋 Friday 8 May 7pm - Two Altos @ The Undercurrent 7pm - Tom Scott @ Meow Nui 9.30pm - Brazza! @ Rogue and Vagabond 👋 Saturday 9 May 8pm - The Music of Kendrick Lamar: Reimagined Live @ Meow Nui 8pm - Samba Independence @ Rogue and Vagabond 👋 Sunday 10 May 3pm - Sunday Jazz Ft. Victoria Ferry And Ayrton Foote @ The Undercurrent 5pm - Sunday Jazz - Ella Dunbar-Wilcox @ Rogue and Vagabond Pictured: @petitchouxmusic With tender, multilingual songs and an unforgettable voice, she creates music of striking emotional depth and beauty. Her debut EP Coule was praised by Danica Bryant at Muzic.NZ for its evocative songwriting and captivating atmosphere.

We hope you have had a lovely, sunny, long weekend and are ramped up for a week of great jazz around the capital! Get your calendars out and pop some dates in! 🌟📆   🌟 Wednesday 29 April   5.30PM - Mark Lockett, Daniel Yeabsley, Ayrton Foote @ Cabletop Eatery    🌟 Thursday 30 April   7.00PM - Capital Blues All Stars @ Lynott’s Irish Bar   7.00PM - Music for Mutual Aid @ Meow  7.30PM - millienico (jazz rnb pop ) @ Undercurrent   8.00PM - Lockie Bennett @ Library Bar   9.00PM - Seth Boy – Gold and Flowers @ Rogue & Vagabond    🌟 Friday 1 May   6.30PM - The Zimmermans @ Meow   7.30PM - Fat Freddy’s Drop @ Michael Fowler Centre   9.30PM - Undubbed @ Rogue & Vagabond    🌟 Saturday 2 May   New Zealand Swing Quartet – The Music of New Orleans @ Rogue & Vagabond   8.00PM - The Funkadelics @ Undercurrent   7.30PM - Fat Freddy’s Drop @ Michael Fowler Centre     🌟 Sunday 3 May   3.30PM - Sunday Jazz Feat. G and T @ Undercurrent  5.00PM - Sunday Jazz: Ayrton Foote @ Rogue & Vagabond   7.30PM - Fat Freddy’s Drop @ Michael Fowler Centre   Pictured: UNDUBBED is an independent jazz/hiphop trio from Te Whanganui-a-Tara. The name reflects their approach: raw, unedited, and unrepeatable live performances.  Join Blair Gowan (keys/synth), Ciaran Egan (drums), and Alex Cooper (bass) as they draw from jazz and hip-hop influences to create music that’s free and playful. Featuring special guest Sylvester Green on trumpet, join UNDUBBED this Friday from 9.30PM at Rogue & Vagabond. FREE ENTRY!  P.S. As this is my last gig guide for the Wellington Jazz Festival, please contact [email protected] for any gig guide and festival related queries in the future. Passing you on to the amazing Huia next week! Thank you! - Mysty

We hope that everybody is safe, dry and warm this week. If you are ready to embrace the storm and warm yourself up at some of the city’s cosiest venues, here is this week’s jazzy gig guide 😊🌟 🔥 Wednesday 22 April   5.30PM - Mark Lockett, Daniel Yeabsley, Ayrton Foote @ Cabletop Eatery  7.00PM (Doors) - Flight of the Conchords @ Meow Nui   8.00PM - Swing Jazz Jam @ Undercurrent     🔥 Thursday 23 April   8.00PM - Alex Trask @ Library Bar   9.00PM - Deadly Devon @ Rogue & Vagabond  🔥 Friday 24 April   5.30PM - Los Manuelitos @ Thunderbird Cafe  7.30PM - Star Time, OdESSA and Funk the Band @ San Fran   8.00PM - Rory Stuart Trio @ Library Bar  8.30PM - Mehana at the Moon @ Moon   8.30PM - Tom Callwood | Ant Donaldson | Lucien Johnson | Jonny Marks | Dayle Jellyman @ Pyramid Club  9.30PM - Cumbia Blazera @ Rogue & Vagabond    🔥 Saturday 25 April   7.30PM - BoyleUpBrassBand @ Courtenay Place Tripod  8.30PM - A Night with Ata @ Meow   9.30PM - Peter Skankson @ Rogue & Vagabond   🔥 Sunday 26 April   3.30PM - Sunday Jazz feat. Ella Sophie and Lockie Bennett @ Undercurrent   5.00PM - Sunday Jazz: Ol’ King Cole @ Rogue & Vagabond  5.30PM - Rory Stuart Trio @ Undercurrent   Pictured: Deadly Devon, an ensemble of Pōneke’s highly skilled musicians take over Rogue & Vagabond for a night of jazz, rnb, bluesy rock tunes. Expect old and new compositions, interweaved with improvisation and plenty of grooves! This Thursday at 9PM.  🤩 📸 Photo taken by @jamiehutchi

The 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards nominees were released this morning and we’re proud to see some familiar #WellJazzFest artists in the mix! Congratulations to: 🎷 Louisa Williamson (2024 WJF commissioned artist) for Groundwork 🎶 Clear Path Ensemble (2021 WJF ensemble presentation) for Black Sand. Both are nominated for Te Manu Taki Tautito o te Tau | Best Jazz Artist MĀ (2024 WJF commissioned artist for Oro Māia), has earned major recognition across multiple categories for her album Blame It On The Weather, and Tom Scott (2020 WJF headliner with Avantdale Bowling Club) has also nominations across four categories for his solo work ANITYA. Wishing you the best of luck! 💗

Woohoo! 🥳 Another gig guide! Get stuck into all this amazing jazz and jazz affiliated music! 🎵 🦋 Wednesday 15 April 5.30PM - Mark Lockett, Daniel Yeabsley, Ayrton Foote @ Cabletop Eatery 🦋 Thursday 16 April 7.00PM - Flight of the Conchords @ Meow Nui 7.00PM - The Abey Sparks Trio @ Undercurrent 7.00PM - Capital Blues Presents: BB and the Bullets @ Lynott’s Irish Bar 9.00PM - Seth Boy presents: Some Of My Best Friends Are Singers! @ Rogue & Vagabond 🦋 Friday 17 April 7.00PM - Flight of the Conchords @ Meow Nui 7.30PM - Miles Crayford – James Wylie Trio feat. Mike Jensen @ Undercurrent 9.30PM - The Uptakes with Louis TM @ Rogue & Vagabond 🦋 Saturday 18 April 8.00PM - Deva Mahal and friends @ Meow Nui 8.00PM - Hemi Hemingway @ Meow 9.15PM - Bri Louise and Yawner @ Rogue & Vagabond 🦋 Sunday 19 April 2.00PM - Sunday Jazz Club with Lockie Bennet and crew @ Parrotdog Bar 3.30PM - Sunday Jazz feat. The Garam Jung Piano Trio @ Undercurrent 5.00PM - Sunday Jazz: Q Train Uptown @ Rogue & Vagabond 5.00PM - Wellington Jazz Club: New Orleans Joymakers @ Meow Pictured 📸: Every second Sunday 2pm – 4pm (unless specified otherwise), head to Parrotdog Bar for the Sunday Jazz Club with Lockie Bennett and Friends. Wind down your week and enjoy some laid-back jazz paired with your favourite Parrotdog beer, at no entry cost! 🤑

We’re well into autumn, saying goodbye to outdoor festivals and hello to indoor gigs at gorgeous venues around town! 🏘️ Get your cosy kick out of these shows in the capital: 🍁 Wednesday 8 April 5.30PM - Mark Lockett, Daniel Yeabsley, Ayrton Foote @ Cabletop Eatery 8.00PM - Swing Jazz Jam @ Undercurrent 8.00PM (approx) - Bri Louise and friends @ San Fran 🍁 Thursday 9 April 8.00PM - Brio Trio @ Library Bar 9.00PM - Les Tripes presents: The Music of Django Reinhardt @ Rogue & Vagabond 🍁 Friday 10 April 8.00PM - Juice Quartet @ Library Bar 🍁 Saturday 11 April 7.30PM - Waypeople Album Release Tour @ Bedlam & Squalor 7.30PM - The Wijesuriya Crew @ Courtenay Place Tripod 7.30PM - Suena Oro @ Undercurrent 🍁 Sunday 12 April 5.00PM - Sunday Jazz with James Wylie @ Rogue & Vagabond 3.30PM - Sunday Jazz feat. Oscar Lavën @ Undercurrent 7.00PM - Suena Oro – Te Heke Tō Taura Kōrari @ Valhalla 8.00PM - Ateo Buhne Quartet @ Library Bar 8.00PM - Georgia Knight @ San Fran Pictured: Jia Ling (Jessie) on the guhzeng as part of the 2023 Jazz Festival show Waypeople, composed by Jake Baxendale. Waypeople was recently recorded and released, with a celebratory album release show happening this Saturday at Bedlam & Squalor. Photo by Nick George Creative

With the anticipation of the 2026 Wellington Jazz Festival feeling unbearable, we are announcing our first EVER pre-festival show! Silent Jazz brings you a 45 minute set exploring “The Space Between The Notes” according to Silent Jazz’s anonymous composer. Expect to hear absolutely nothing, as the ensemble focus on the emptiness that consumes a completely silent room. Keep your ears peeled (or not) for further details!

Kia Ora jazz lovers! 💛 Here’s another week of inspiring, entertaining, and incredible music for you in our lovely capital city! Support your local venues and have a nice Easter weekend!     🐣 Wednesday 1 April   5.30PM - Mark Lockett, Daniel Yeabsley, Ayrton Foote @ Cabletop Eatery  8.00PM (Doors) - Bret McKenzie @ Meow Nui    🐣 Thursday 2 April   7.00PM - Capital Blues presents: Simon Donald @ Lynott’s Irish Bar (previously Thunder Road)  7.30PM - Genesis Quartet @ Undercurrent  8.00PM - Adrian Cox Trio @ Bedlam & Squalor   8.00PM (Doors) - Bret McKenzie @ Meow Nui  9.30PM - D Muss + Guests @ Rogue & Vagabond     🐣 Friday 3 April   7.30PM - Garam Jung Quintet @ Undercurrent     🐣 Saturday 4 April   8.00PM - Anti Move On Order Fundraiser for Wellington City Mission and Orange Sky feat. Bri Louise, Fine Wine Social Club, The Mokos and Ari Leason @ Moon     🐣 Sunday 5 April   2.00PM - Sunday Jazz Club @ Parrotdog Bar   3.30PM - Sunday jazz feat. Daniel Yeabsley @ Undercurrent   Pictured: Internationally acclaimed clarinetist Adrian Cox and his trio return to Wellington to perform their newest album ‘Club Croco’! Catch them at Bedlam and Squalor this Thursday April 2 at 8PM 🎶

With the exciting anticipation of CubaDupa this weekend in Pōneke, we thought to highlight the many jazz and jazz-affiliated gigs happening around this busy street festival! 💃💃 The range of choices is unbelievable, here are some shows you should head to, for FREE! 🤩 🎶 Saturday 28 March 1.00PM - Frida Flacks @ San Fran   1.30PM - The CS House Band @ Hamodava   2.00PM - Echoes Of Us @ Peg Gallery   2.00PM - Bri Louise @ Valhalla  2.45PM - TNT! @ Ngā Toi o Te Aro Stage   3.00PM - Louis TM @ San Fran   4.00PM - The Wellington Shake-em On Downers @ San Fran   4.15PM – Big Sigma x Boomtown @ Ngā Taniwha Stage   4.30PM - Wijesuriya Crew @ Hamodava   5.00PM - Hoot’n’Annies @ Ghuznee Street East   5.30PM - BoyleUpBrassBand @ Hamodava   6.45PM - Lou’Ana @ Ngā Taniwha Stage   7.00PM - Acetones @ Gibbons Hotel  7.00PM - Crash Bandihoot @ Te Aro Eats  7.00PM - AfroKan @ Southern Cross Garden Bar  9.00PM - Battleska Galactica @ Gibbons Hotel  11.00PM - Ska Pai @ Gibbons Hotel    🎶 Sunday 29 March   10.00AM - The Salvation Army Cuba Street Brass @ Hamodava  12.30PM - Niko Ne Zna @ (Roaming parade around the festival)  1.00PM - Hoot’n’Annies @ Hannahs Courtyard   3.45PM - The BigBoyBand @ Ngā Taniwha Stage   4.00PM - Echoes Of Us @ Peg Gallery  4.45PM - Niko Ne Zna @ (Roaming parade around the festival)  5.00PM - Star Time @ Ngā Taniwha Stage   5.00PM - Louis TM’s Velvet Soul @ Gibbons Hotel  6.00PM - Zoe Moon presents: After Party! @ Rogue & Vagabond   8.30PM - Brazza! @ San Fran   Pictured: Echoes Of Us, is back to bring you a live, improvised music experience at Peg Gallery, Saturday 2.00PM and Sunday 4.00PM! Image by Nick George Creative

It’s international piano day this weekend! Falling on the 88th day of the year, to represent the 88 keys on a piano, give all the pianists in your life a hi-five on March 29!   Here’s this week’s gig guide...    🎹 Wednesday 25 March   5.30PM - Mark Lockett, Daniel Yeabsley, Ayrton Foote @ Cabletop Eatery    🎹 Thursday 26 March   7.00PM - Noah Bryn and friends @ Undercurrent  8.00PM - The Martinis @ Library Bar   9.00PM - Hiptown Bangers @ Rogue & Vagabond     🎹 Friday 27 March   8.00PM - Ateo Buhne Quartet @ Library Bar  9.30PM - Cumbia Blazera @ Rogue & Vagabond    🎹 Saturday 28 March   7.30PM - Burgin, Kerr and Norman @ Undercurrent     🎹 Sunday 29 March   3.00PM - Sunday Jazz with Evie Patterson @ Undercurrent   8.00PM - Cuzzies @ Library Bar   P.S. Stay tuned for our CubaDupa jazzy gig-guide at the end of this week!    Pictured: Stand-out local jazz trio consisting of Mark Lockett, Daniel Yeabsley and Ayrton Foote take over the Cabletop Eatery every Wednesday from 5.30PM as they bring you a set of jazz standard favourites, adding unique twists, turns and styles.   Catch up with your friends for a meal and a drink with a side of live music, to freshen up the middle of your week and propel you into the weekend!